Shipping container blast in Bend sends debris flying, damages structures

As first reported by Central Oregon Daily, the explosion occurred at 5:23 a.m. inside a shipping container outside Kercher Electric, rattled neighboring buildings and sent debris flying onto Bend Parkway.

Investigators found a faulty welding setup inside a shipping container had caused it to fill with a highly flammable mixture of oxygen and acetylene, according to Bend Fire and Rescue. An upright freezer powered by an extension cord inside the shipping container was also found, which is believed to have ignited the vapors.

Six buildings and at least one vehicle were damaged as a result of the blast. Both Kercher Electric and the neighboring Arbor Builders were tagged with “Do Not Occupy” notices by the city due to the structural damage the buildings sustained.

All of the buildings were empty at the time of the incident, and no one was hurt.