(CNN) -- Two people were trapped after an explosion in a building in Wayne, Michigan, and another person who was rescued earlier was in critical condition, city officials told CNN Wednesday.
City Manager John Zech identified the man as Paul Franks, the owner of a well-known furniture business in the city.
Fire and police rescuers remained outside the building while a gas company crew shut off a 2-inch gas main that was leaking before the explosion, according to a gas company spokeswoman.
A Consumers Energy gas worker was two blocks away investigating the reported gas leak, company spokeswoman Debra Dodd said.
"In the course of that investigation, the building down the road here exploded," Dodd said.
Zech said he felt the explosion two miles from the scene. "There was a large thump".
Aerial footage from the scene Wednesday afternoon by CNN affiliate WDIV showed dozens of firefighters working to shore up the remaining structure and heavy equipment queued up to assist.
"It's a very precarious situation," Dodd told CNN.
Fire departments from around the Detroit suburbs were helping Wayne emergency officials in the rescue efforts, he said. CNN
