Seattle Natural Gas Explosion Injures Several Firefighters

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on March 12, 2016

The Seattle neighborhood of Greenwood was shaken awake in the middle of the night, recently, because of a massive explosion. While the exact cause of the explosion is still unknown, evidence points to a natural gas leak. Seattle Mayor Ed Murray called the blast a “devastating disaster” for the Greenwood neighborhood and the Seattle business district. The explosion sent nine firefighters to Harborview Medical Center with minor cuts and abrasions.

The blast completely destroyed at least one building and damaged many others. At least three dozen businesses suffered some kind of damage in the explosion. “It’s going to take a lot of work to help these businesses become vibrant and vital again, but we are committed to that as a city,” Mayor Ed Murray told reporters at the scene. While a natural gas leak is the probably cause of the blast, Seattle police increased patrols in the neighborhood to expand security.

Firefighters were at the scene of the explosion when it occurred. People in the neighborhood first reported the smell of gas just after 1 a.m. The explosion happened less than an hour later, while firefighters investigated the source of the gas leak. Despite the size of the blast, firefighters at the scene only suffered minor injuries. All nine injured firefighters were released from Harborview Medical Center before 8 a.m. the morning of the explosion.

Neighborhood residents were evacuated from the scene for several hours after the blast. There have been no reported injuries or missing persons. The Seattle Fire Department will use dogs to sift through rubble, just in case.  Damage to the Greenwood neighborhood is estimated at $3 million.

Luckily, no one seems to have been seriously injured in this explosion. But, if you or a loved one are ever injured in an accident like this one, you’ll need an experienced Seattle explosion injury attorney on your side. Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. can help. Contact us at (888) 228-3860.