KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — It was a beloved fixture on Kansas City's culinary scene for more than 27 years. A legendary wine list, well-reviewed food, hospitable staff and intimate setting made JJ's a smart choice for everything from popping a cork on a rare varietal to popping the question.
But Tuesday's deadly blast reduced the Country Club Plaza landmark to scorched rubble and apparently killed an employee, casting an indelible pall on the years of fond memories shared by patrons and staff alike.
The blast occurred after a construction crew apparently struck a natural gas line.
Fifteen people also were injured. The dead person has not been formally identified, but a woman says she's confident based on information from authorities that it was her daughter, Megan Cramer, a 46-year-old server at JJ's.
