Seattle gas blast obliterates buildings, injures nine firefighters and damages 36 businesses near downtown

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An aerial view of damage from a natural gas explosion that flattened buildings in Seattle early Wednesday morning. Photo: AP

Published: 9:47am, 10 Mar 2016Updated: 9:47am, 10 Mar 2016

Shop owners on Wednesday inspected buildings that were reduced to matchwood by an early morning natural gas explosion in Seattle and marvelled that the blast had caused no serious injuries.

Crews were responding to reports of a gas leak when the explosion occurred about 1.40am along a main thoroughfare in a neighbourhood north of downtown.

“The most important thing is that no one died and this happened at two in the morning and not two in the afternoon,” said Chris Maykut, owner of Chaco Canyon Organic Café. “If it had happened at two in the afternoon, things would be really bad right now.”

Firefighters douse burning rubble after Wednesday’s blast in Seattle. Photo: AP

The blast sent nine firefighters to a hospital. All were treated and released. There were no reports of other injuries or missing people. Still, dogs searched the rubble.

The cause of the explosion that damaged 36 businesses was under investigation.

Video surveillance from the Olive and Grape Mediterranean Restaurant showed a bright flash at 1.43am and then the room shook as debris fell from the ceiling. A large garage door covering the restaurant’s front windows protected it from extensive damage.