Portland gas blast: First responders praised for quick work

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Portland officials say a natural gas explosion that injured eight people Wednesday morning could have been disastrous without the speedy work of first responders.

Eight people were injured in the explosion Wednesday morning in a busy shopping district.

Before the blast, firefighters and police officers quickly went to the site and cleared the area of people after a construction crew hit a gas line.

Mayor Charlie Hales said at a news conference that their work averted a catastrophe. Hales said the “excellent work by our first responders” saved the lives of many people.

NW Natural said the gas explosion in the northwest Portland shopping district happened less than an hour after a construction crew called the utility to say it had hit a gas line.

The utility said it first got a call at 8:55 a.m. Wednesday and the blast happened at 9:38 a.m., after an evacuation was completed with Portland Fire & Rescue.

Three firefighters, three civilians and two police officers were hurt. None of the injuries are life-threatening.

NW Natural says it hasn’t determined what caused the gas to ignite.

The blast destroyed a building and damaged others. The utility says all structures within 300 feet of the blast have been inspected.

Fire Lt. Rich Chatman said two firefighters suffered broken legs and one of them will require surgery.

An employee at a kitchen accessories store located across the street says he felt a huge blast and then saw smoke and haze.

As he evacuated, Scott Bergler said he saw a firefighter on the ground who had been knocked flat by the blast.

Bergler said the firefighter seemed to be in shock and was crawling around and trying to stand.

He said 15 windows in the store were blown out by the explosion, but none of the staff were injured.

The explosion was felt throughout the neighborhood and smoke was seen billowing from a building.

KGW-TV aired footage showing rubble as well as firefighters spraying water onto a heavily damaged building.

The TV station said a bagel shop and a beauty salon were located in the building.

A plume of smoke hung over the neighborhood. People living in the neighborhood said buildings shook from the blast.