Officials rule gas explosion at strip mall accidental

Published May 11, 2009 4:00am ET



Prince George’s County fire investigators ruled a gas explosion that injured eight firefighters and a gas worker was accidental.

Officials say the blast at the Penn Mar shopping center in Forestville on Thursday was caused by a buildup of natural gas. Insurance investigators will try to determine the cause of the gas leak.

All of those injured have been released from hospitals.