Security-camera footage shared with The Oregonian/OregonLive shows the moment that a dramatic explosion rocked a Southeast Portland food-cart pod this week.
The explosion happened around 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, according to Aileen Kish, who said her family owns the parking lot. Portland Fire & Rescue said in a statement that nobody was injured in the explosion, but it caused heavy damage to multiple businesses and scattered debris across the area.
“I had a breakdown” after seeing the damage, said Michelle Rademacher, the owner of The Crystal Guide, a shop that was near the blast.
Rademacher said the blast was powerful enough to damage the walls and roof of the brick-and-mortar store, as well as knock out the windows and overturn shelves.
Several food carts in the area suffered a similar fate, leaving their owners scrambling to figure out how to get back in business.
“These are small businesses that are just here surviving,” Kish said. “This is their livelihood.”
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but fire investigators believe that it was an accidental propane tank explosion, officials said.