Portland Fire Rules Events That Led to Gas Explosion 'Unintentional'

Nearly two months after a gas explosion rocked Northwest 23rd Avenue, leveling a building and badly damaging another, investigators know more about what led to the explosion but not what actually caused it.

A bagel shop, a salon, and a tattoo parlor were among the businesses destroyed on October 19 when the blast occurred. Eight people were injured but none critically.

Firefighter Lt. Peter St. John was credited with saving many lives that day.

On Monday, Portland Fire & Rescue said that while they still don't know what ignited the gas, causing the explosion, they have a better sense of what led up to it.

"The cause began when an excavator struck a steel gas line," said Portland Fire Spokesman Lt. Rich Tyler. "The contact pulled the pipe out of a fitting that was further underground, which started the release of natural gas. The natural gas then traveled under ground near the pipe and entered the basement of 500 NW 23rd Ave.

"An unknown ignition source ignited the gas when it reached the flammable ignition percentage in that enclosed space."

The actions, they determined, had been "unintentional."

Portland Fire & Rescue was assisted by Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF), Portland Police Bureau, Gresham Fire & Rescue Investigators, and Oregon State Police during the investigation.

Portland Fire & Rescue was assisted by Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF), Portland Police Bureau, Gresham Fire & Rescue Investigators, and Oregon State Police during the investigation.

Photos courtesy Portland Fire & Rescue