Huge gas explosion levels part of Motel 6 in Bremerton; at least 1 critically injured

BREMERTON, Wash. -- A huge gas leak explosion leveled one part of the Motel 6 in Bremerton Tuesday night, officials said. The blast could be felt for miles, witnesses said.

One Cascade Natural Gas employee was critically injured and was airlifted to Seattle's Harborview Medical Center. Bremerton Police Chief Steve Strachan said the employee suffered second- and third-degree burns and severe lacerations.

Police said a gas leak call came in at 7:54 p.m.  and workers were on site and guests were being evacuated when the explosion occurred at 8:24 p.m.

Strachan said firefighters on the scene were blown about 20 feet back when the gas line erupted.

Nearby resident Francis Blair said he could smell a strong odor of gas before the explosion and could see motel guests being evacuated. When a gas company employee pulled up in his truck, the gas exploded.

"It was like a bomb went off," Blair said.

The fire was contained late Tuesday night, police said, and, while it's not believed that anyone was in the motel when the explosion occurred, officials will have to go through the rubble to be sure.

Reporter Rachel Anne Seymour of the Kitsap Sun said firefighters were continuing late Tuesday night to let the fire burn off gas until the gas line was shut off.

The following video was provided by Peter O'Cain of the Kitsap Sun: