PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Firefighters who responded to what should have been a routine call about a gas leak in Portland, Oregon, likely saved lives when they decided to evacuate the building and pulled a fire alarm to warn holdouts just minutes before a powerful explosion, officials said. Three firefighters, two police officers and three civilians were hurt, and one of the firefighters underwent hours of surgery for a broken leg, Portland Fire Chief Mike Myers said at an afternoon news conference. It was not clear whether there were any injuries in the Wednesday morning blast, or the extent of damage. Structural engineers were asked to assess the building’s integrity, and neighbors were told to shelter in place. The utility that serves the area got a call saying that a construction crew had hit a gas line and authorities and utility workers who investigated had evacuated the building, said Melissa Moore, a spokeswoman for NW Natural. Before the explosion residents could smell gas, and crews arrived and told them to evacuate, the station reported. An employee at a nearby kitchen accessories store said he was in the washroom when he felt a huge explosion and emerged to find thick smoke and haze. “He was obviously in shock and crawling and having a hard time standing up,” said Bergler, who was still visibly shaken by the ordeal as he gathered with co-workers in a parking lot. “There are a lot of people alive” who might not be “but for the excellent work by our first responders,” Mayor Charlie Hales said.
A natural gas explosion damages several buildings and injures eight people in downtown Portland, Oregon.