#GasExplosion Rocks #Portland Shopping District, Injures 8
Local Editor
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.
The blast went shortly after 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in a popular shopping district injuring eight people and igniting a fire that sent a plume of smoke over the heart of the city.
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.
None of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team