SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- A gas explosion on Wednesday caused a huge fire engulfing a well-known Chinese restaurant in San Francisco, and the San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) said five workers declared missing have been located safe without injuries.
"THE FIVE MISSING WORKERS HAVE BEEN LOCATED SAFE AND NOT INJURED," SFFD tweeted.
The fire department said the fire was caused by a gas explosion when a contracted company crew was doing fiber optic work underground in front of the Chinese dim sum restaurant, Hong Kong Lounge II and hit a gas line. The five workers are employees of the restaurant, who were reported unaccounted for shortly after the fire.
Footage from onlookers on social media showed towering flames erupting from the gas line in the Geary street in downtown San Francisco where the restaurant was located.
A two-story building was in flames, and the fire spread quickly to the nearby restaurant.
The SFFD urged the public to avoid the impact area and a middle school nearby was reportedly being evacuated.
