Massive Kansas City gas explosion kills at least 1, injures 15 people in Missouri (VIDEO)

A body has been found in the rubble of a huge gas explosion in Kansas City, Missouri that destroyed a restaurant in a popular shopping area and injured some 15 people late Tuesday, according to the Kansas City Star. 

Mayor Sly James did not provide any additional information about the body on Wednesday, leaving it unclear whether or not it was that of a missing restaurant worker, said the Associated Press.

James also said authorities could not be sure only one person was still unaccounted for, said AP. 

The powerful gas explosion at Country Club Plaza engulfed J.J's Restaurant and then set off an enormous blaze that encompassed an entire city block, reported KMBC news.

The news website added that it's suspected that a contractor working underground accidentally set off a gas line.

Read more from GlobalPost: Kansas, Missouri states least prepared for an emergency

Firefighters were investigating a strong smell of gas prior to the blaze, writes KMBC, and employees told customers to leave for their own safety. It's currently unclear how many employees were still inside when the blast took place.

A woman is missing and a man who was believed to be missing has been located at a hospital, Kansas City mayor Sly James told KMBC on Feb 20th. The woman may have been an employee at the destroyed eatery.

According to Reuters, the University of Kansas treated six patients who suffered injuries from both the explosion and the ensuing fire, while eight others are being treated at St Luke's Medical Center, with two others at Research Medical Center.

Three people were listed in critical condition, added Reuters, while one was in "serious" condition. Most of the injuries were "lacerations from flying glass," said ABC News.