8 injured in explosion in NW Portland

three civilians and two police officers were injured in a natural gas explosion that completely destroyed a building at Northwest 23rd Avenue and Glisan Street in Portland Wednesday morning.

Portland Fire & Rescue reported that there were no fatalities from the explosion.

Portland Fire & Rescue Lt. Rich Chatman said none of the injuries to the firefighters is life-threatening. The most significant injury to a firefighter was a broken leg that required surgery. Another firefighter suffered a broken leg, but did not need surgery, Chatman said. The other firefighter’s injuries were less severe.

The police officers’ injuries were not life-threatening.

The names of the people injured in the explosion have not been released.

Legacy Emanuel Medical Center treated four of the injured people, including two firefighters, the police officer and one civilian. One of the firefighters was still being treated as of Wednesday afternoon. The other three patients were treated and released.

A third-party contractor hit a gas line at a mixed-use building at about 8:55 a.m. Wednesday and reported it to building occupants, who reported it to Northwest Natural Gas.

“We know there was a lot of gas in there,” Chatman said.

The call came into Portland Fire & Rescue at 9:30 a.m.

VIDEO: Scenes from explosion in NW Portland

Crews from NW Natural Gas and Portland Fire & Rescue responded to the report of the natural gas leak and decided to evacuate the building.

About 20 minutes later, a “significant explosion” happened from inside the building at about 9:39 a.m., according to Chatman. Two crews, or eight firefighters, were inside when the explosion occurred.

“It’s a scene like none other that I’ve ever seen,” said Portland Mayor Charlie Hales. “Fortuneatly we believe no one was killed in this incident.”

Hales said firefighters did a great job getting people out of harm’s way following the gas leak.

“Huge credit to the Portland Fire Bureau for getting on scene, sizing it up and getting people out of the way,” Hales said.

Hales said people can contact the Mayor’s Office to donate money or goods to those affected by the explosion.

“There’s a lot of impact on people’s lives and we’re going to need the community to come together to help those folks.”

A source told KGW that a Portland Fire & Rescue firefighter used his body to shield an injured firefighter during the explosion.

Businesses inside the building where the explosion happened include Dosha Salon and Portland Bagelworks. Dosha Salon and Portland Bagelworks reported that everyone got out before the explosion.

PHOTOS: Explosion in NW Portland

There is damage to at least two or three surrounding buildings, Chatman said.

About 100 firefighters are currently on the scene where the explosion occurred.

Gas has been shut off to the surrounding area, according to Melissa Moore of NW Natural Gas.

Crews are putting out hot spots from outside the building. Structural engineers have said the building is not in danger of collapsing.

“We’re going to be here for awhile,” Chatman said.

Customers in the area can expect gas outages today. Once the area is secure and safe, gas will be turned back on, Moore said.

“We really care about the community, and we apologize for this inconvenience,” Moore said. “We are on top of it, and safety is a priority.”

About 420 students at Metropolitan Learning Center at 2033 NW Glisan Street were evacuated as a precaution Wednesday morning, though police said the children were not in danger.

The students are safe and healthy at Portland School District headquarters at 501 North Dixon. Parents have been instructed that they can pick up their children at any time today. Parents should park at the Moda Center, across from the district headquarters, when they pick up their children.

Earlier reports said that children at Chapman Elementary reported feeling sick from the smoke, but the principal at Chapman said the children are doing well and still in school.

Portland General Electric is reporting that more than 2,500 customers are without power in Northwest Portland.

The public is being cautioned to avoid the area. Traffic delays within a three-block radius of the explosion should be expected.

The Multnomah County Health Department is advising people to avoid smoke from the explosion and fire.