Official: Company in Kansas City explosion lacked work permit

The company that was laying cable before an explosion last week at a popular Kansas City, Missouri, restaurant -- a blast that killed one person and injured at least 15 others -- did not have a permit for the excavation, a city official said Monday. Those who fail to have such a permit could face a $500 fine and up to six months in jail, Assistant City Manager Patrick Klein said. The contractor, Heartland Midwest, previously had worked in Kansas City after obtaining proper permits, according to Klein.