Firefighters responded to “what was described as an explosion and a subsequent fire” in Miller Circle in Harrisonburg, Mike Parks, the director of communications for the city, told the press on Saturday. 

While the exact site of the blast wasn’t immediately clear, a shopping center reportedly affected by the fire contained a vape store, a barbershop, as well as grocery and music stores.

Three people were transported to hospital from the scene, two in a “serious condition,” and another with a “minor condition.” 

Harrisonburg citizens took to social media to describe the sounds of the explosion early on Saturday. Videos from the scene show serious damage to the commercial area. Firefighters continue to work at the scene, but the fire has reportedly been “contained.”

Governor Ralph Northam tweeted that he has deployed extra emergency personnel to the scene for “additional support.” Although no official word has been released regarding the cause of the fire, the governor described the incident as a “gas explosion.”

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