S.F. Restaurant Blast Injures 43

SAN FRANCISCO — An explosion ripped through a popular Chinatown restaurant at lunchtime today, injuring 43 people, five of them critically, from flying glass and debris and flames from a three-alarm fire.

Officials said 25 people were treated at the scene of the packed Canton Tea House and 18 were hospitalized, five in critical condition and three serious. Most suffered facial burns or smoke inhalation. The 11:15 a.m. blast--possibly from propane canisters--blew out a huge plate glass window fronting the bottom floor of the two-story restaurant, engulfing it in flames and sending terrified diners fleeing.