UPDATE: Three Sent to Hospital After Explosion at Eden Center

Three persons were sent to the hospital Wednesday afternoon with non-life threatening injuries after an explosion rocked the Eden Center, which straddles the City of Falls Church and Fairfax County, according to City of Falls Church spokeswoman Laura Binz.

The City of Falls Church Fire Marshal, Tom Polera, has ruled Wednesday’s explosion at an Eden Center business to be accidental, caused by improper use of propane and oxygen. Damage is determined to be in excess of $1 million.

The windows of Princess Diamonds, 6757 Wilson Blvd., were blown out, photos show. Other nearby businesses were also damaged in the blast.

Firefighters and police from the City of Falls Church, Fairfax County and Arlington County raced to the scene at 2:30 p.m. after the loud explosion; billowing smoke could be seen at the shopping center.

There was no immediate information on those sent to the hospital or what caused the explosion, Binz said.

Police and firefighters are still on the scene, Binz said.

The City of Falls Church Fire Marshall is starting his investigation. The mall portion of the Eden Center is expected to be closed until Thursday, according to the City of Falls Church Public Information Office.

The investigation was led by Polera and assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the City of Falls Church Police Department.

PHOTO at Eden Center after explosion Wednesday afternoon by Arlington County Fire Department via Twitter

(Editor’s note: This story was updated with new information from the City of Falls Church Public Information Office.)