1 injured after gas explosion, building collapse in SE DC: Fire officials

WASHINGTON, D.C. (7News) — D.C. crews are expected to work overnight to clean and investigate a gas leak-turned-explosion at a southeast convenience store Thursday morning that destroyed the building and sent a person to the hospital, according to authorities.

After two explosions and two subsequent updates from D.C. Fire and EMS, officials said they managed the fire at the 1200 block of Marion Berry Avenue, SE after being first called to the scene at 9:30 a.m. for an active gas leak. Officials said the initial gas leak was caused after a vehicle struck a gas pipe "during normal operations" but the cause is still being investigated.

Upon arrival, firefighters began to evacuate the area and a building that housed a daycare with 16 children (ages two and a half years to four years old) and a convenience store.

According to D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly, 25 minutes after the initial 911 call, there was an explosion on the second floor of the building where the convenience store is, knocking out the windows and starting a fire.

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Officials added that a secondary explosion later occurred at the convenience store, knocking down the building's walls.

Donnelly said the people inside the daycare were safely evacuated by staff and firefighters before the building exploded. Donnally said it could take months for repairs to be made.

I think we are very lucky today," Mayor Muriel Bowser said.

Watch the full noon press conference with D.C. leaders below:

One person was injured by flying debris and taken to the hospital with minor injuries. At least three buildings were damaged in the incident, Donnally confirmed.

At 1:25 p.m., firefighters were able to cut the gas and power and that the fire was under control.

"When I saw the building itself my mouth fell open," Bowser said. "Had the children been in the building, they would've been impacted by the explosion."

Officials said work is underway with Washington Gas and Pepco to restore power and gas to nearby residents, and will work to provide temporary housing to those who might need it.

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