VIDEO: Nine firefighters were injured Wednesday as they were evacuating people before a gas explosion in Durham, according to local fire authorities. The explosion killed the owner of a coffee shop, Durham Deputy Fire Chief Chris Iannuzzi told reporters at a news conference Thursday morning. "Eight to 10 people were in the coffee shop, and without the incredible work of our firefighters to get them out immediately, they would have also perished inside the building," said Durham Fire Chief Robert Zoldos. "Those eight to 10 people are alive today because of that." Several firefighters heroically continued to participate in rescue efforts even after they were injured, Zoldos said. The explosion damaged at least 15 buildings, Iannuzzi said, including the coffee shop, which suffered "catastrophic damage."