A man was injured in an explosion that occurred at an Oregon City home on Sunday morning, according to reports from Clackamas Fire, which were first cited by KPTV. The blast, which led to a subsequent fire, took place shortly before 8:30 a.m. at a house on 7th Street that dates back to the 1890s. The injured man, found outside the home upon the arrival of first responders, is believed to be the only victim. He was rapidly transported to a hospital, though the severity of his injuries remains undisclosed.
Investigators are working meticulously to unravel what prompted the blast that caused damage primarily confined to the basement of the residence. The impact was powerful enough that debris was scattered up to 100 feet away from the site. Details pertaining to the cause are still under investigation, but the damage did yet to extend to the rest of the landmark house, allowing to partly maintain its historical structure, as noted by Clackamas Fire.
KATU News reported that Clackamas Fire spokesperson Izak Hamilton stated, "Firefighters arrived and observed fire in the basement and were able to get it put out rapidly." There were no reports of additional injuries, and the fire crews were able to extinguish the fire before it could spread beyond the basement.
The ongoing investigation is focused on determining the source of the explosion with thoroughness and precision, as the incident raised concerns over the safety of historical buildings in urban settings. Updates will be made available as the situation continues to unfold and as reported by local news outlets including KOIN.
