2 Firefighters Injured in Portland Gas Explosion

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Latest on a gas explosion in a Portland, Oregon, business district (all times local): 11:10 a.m. Utility officials say a gas explosion in a popular Portland, Oregon, shopping district occurred after a construction crew hit a line. Melissa Moore, spokeswoman for NW Natural, said people inside the building were evacuated Wednesday before the explosion occurred. Authorities say two firefighters and two civilians were injured in the powerful explosion. 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. ___ 10:55 a.m. Authorities say two firefighters and two civilians were injured in a powerful explosion that shook a northwest Portland, Oregon, neighborhood as utility workers were repairing a damaged gas line. Lt. Rich Chatman, spokesman for Portland Fire and Rescue, said there were no fatalities in the Wednesday morning incident that he described as a "significant" explosion. An earlier tweet from the fire department said three firefighters were injured. Chatman said the situation was in flux and authorities were still gathering information about the blast. The explosion was felt throughout the neighborhood and smoke was seen billowing from a building. Fire officials called in additional resources after the initial response to ...
Source: JEMS: Journal of Emergency Medical Services News - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: News Mass Casualty Incidents Source Type: news