2 inmates killed, up to 150 injured in gas blast at Florida jail

Cause of explosion not known

PENSACOLA, Fla. – An official in Florida says nearly all of the inmates and corrections officials injured in an apparent gas explosion at a jail have been released from hospitals.

Escambia County spokesman Bill Pearson said Thursday that 184 people were taken to hospitals after the blast and only two inmates and one corrections officer are still there. Pearson wouldn't describe the extent of their injuries.

Two inmates were killed in the explosion late Wednesday. Authorities say three inmates are missing.

The blast created confusion as hundreds of inmates and officers had to evacuate the building, which was all but destroyed.

Severe weather that swept through the area caused significant flooding in the county Wednesday morning.  Castro, however, said it was too early to say whether the explosion was weather-related but it's very likely.

One Blood says flooding from severe storms in the Panhandle is making blood collections difficult.