PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — Portland Fire is investigating an early-morning explosion at a popular food cart pod in Southeast Portland.
Crews were dispatched to the Springwater Cart Park, formerly known as “Cartlandia,” on SE 82nd Avenue at 4:40 a.m. According to Portland Fire spokesperson Rick Graves, at least eight carts were damaged, as well as two structures. Some may be a total loss, Graves said.
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“Our investigation unit came out, they worked here for a few hours, and they determined that this was an accidental explosion as a result of a propane leak within the cart itself,” Graves said during an interview with KATU News.
Residents who live in the area also tell KATU, they heard the explosion from their homes.
Business owner Michelle Rademacher tells KATU she’s devastated over the damage to her business, The Crystal Guide.
“I have about 30 local and independent artists that sell their things in my store. A lot of that is on the floor, ruined and broken,” she explained.
Rademacher says there was damage to both the inside and outside of her business.
“I mean, thank god nobody was here and nobody got hurt because this could have been a million times worse if this would have happened when it was open,” she said.
No injuries were reported as a result of the explosion.
