911 call details massive gas leak before devastating explosion

A gas leak that led to an explosion that wiped out three businesses in Seattle’s Greenwood neighborhood was audible down the street.

The person that was apparently the first to call 911 regarding the leak on March 9 told an emergency dispatcher that he could hear it 100 feet away.

Related: Greenwood neighbors jolted awake by explosion, ‘it was just that jarring’

“You can hear it and smell it,” he told the dispatcher as firefighters raced to the scene. “I can’t tell how big … I don’t want to get near it. It’s pretty good size.”

He was right. The leak led to an explosion that was heard around the city. It was powerful enough to shake homes. The air waves were picked up by seismometers.

The first 911 call early that morning was followed by several more after the explosion.

“We just heard a huge explosion and there’s a lot of smoke,” one woman reported.

Of course, by that time, the Seattle Fire Department was well aware of the fire. Crews were on scene when the gas leak ignited and blew up the Neptune Cafe, Mr. Gyros, and the Quick Stop. Nine firefighters were injured and later released from Harborview Medical Center.