Massive gas explosion obliterates Greenwood businesses
Mar 9, 2016, 3:00 AM | Updated: 10:10 am
Firefighters are at the scene of a large explosion in Seattle's Greenwood neighborhood. (Seattle Fire Department)
(Seattle Fire Department)
Listen to the dispatch call made following the explosion.
It took firefighters hours to extinguish a fire after an explosion that destroyed at least one building and three businesses Wednesday morning.
Nine firefighters were hurt in a natural gas explosion in Seattle’s Greenwood neighborhood.
Related: Earthquake monitors detect Greenwood explosion
Firefighters were called to a gas leak at a restaurant in the 200 block of North 85th Street near Greenwood Avenue North just after 1 a.m., KIRO 7 reports. There was a report of an explosion about 40 minutes after firefighters arrived at the scene.
Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins says eight firefighters and one battalion chief was injured in the blast. All of them were taken to Harborview Medical Center; all have been released. Harborview Medical Center spokeswoman Susan Gregg said all of the firefighters were treated for injuries ranging from burns to abrasions.
As many as three businesses were destroyed. Neighbors report they include Neptune Coffee, Mr. Gyros, and the Quick Mart. The Associated Press reports one or two buildings and nearby parked cars were heavily damaged.
The blast could be felt or heard as far away as Shoreline and Lake City Way.
The fire was reportedly extinguished after 8 a.m.
Traffic detour
Traffic in the area is being rerouted off of Greenwood Ave. N to Holman. Some buses that service Greenwood Elementary school have been placed on alternate routes.
Firefighters have extinguished the fire at 85th and Greenwood. pic.twitter.com/JHxrdEo4hF
— Seattle Fire Dept (@SeattleFire) March 9, 2016
Residents living blocks away say they heard a loud boom. Even people as far north as Shoreline have reported hearing the explosion.
Gas was still leaking at the site around 6:30 a.m., according to Puget Sound Energy.
Crews working access to the last valve needed for shutoff. #GreenwoodExplosion pic.twitter.com/A6Ljc1jIa0
— Puget Sound Energy (@PSETalk) March 9, 2016
KIRO Radio’s Jillian Raftery said she could smell the gas.
“I’m pretty sick to my stomach right now,” she told Seattle’s Morning News.
Though gas was still leaking, the danger was relatively low because it was burning off.
The area will be blocked off for most of the day.
Below is the dispatch call Wednesday morning just after the explosion.
