Explosion at Bend Business Damages Six Nearby Properties

Bend, Oregon- An early morning explosion Friday damaged several businesses in Bend, including two buildings that were deemed unsafe to occupy, authorities said.

Shortly after 5:30 a.m. on Aug. 29, multiple 911 callers reported hearing a loud blast, but its source was not immediately clear. Minutes later, another caller reported several cars striking debris on the Bend Parkway, including one vehicle that suffered a punctured fuel tank. Fire crews arrived and contained the fuel leak.

Investigators determined the debris came from a large explosion at Kercher Electric, located at 132 NE Yale Avenue. A shipping container outside the business had exploded, sending a shockwave through the area. Six businesses sustained some level of damage, with Kercher Electric and neighboring Arbor Builders receiving significant structural damage. The City of Bend Building Department marked both properties “Do Not Occupy.”

Officials said all of the businesses were unoccupied at the time of the explosion.

According to Bend Fire & Rescue, the blast was caused by a leaking oxygen-acetylene welding setup inside the shipping container. The container filled with a flammable gas mixture, which was ignited by an energized upright freezer connected to an extension cord, triggering the explosion.

Bend Fire & Rescue reminded residents and businesses to follow safe storage practices for flammable gases, including keeping cylinders in well-ventilated areas, securing them upright, and keeping valves closed when not in use.