Welding setup leak and extension cord led to storage container explosion in NE Bend, severely damaging two businesses, impacting four others, and rattling residents across Central Oregon
KTVZ – News Team
(UPDATE: Interview with Deputy Fire Marshal, business owner)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Around 5:30 a.m. on Friday, residents from around Central Oregon reported hearing a loud explosion. After numerous 911 calls, officials were attempting to locate the area of the incident when they received another call, reporting debris was being struck by vehicles on the Bend Parkway.
When officials arrived on the scene at the Parkway, they discovered the debris was likely from the reported explosion. They were able to follow the materials strewn about to the location where the explosion occurred.
The debris and explosion was found to be from Kercher Electric on NE Yale Ave in Bend, off of Division St., just before the Business 97 intersection.
A shipping container located outside the Kercher Electric building had exploded, causing severe damage to two businesses in the area. In addition, four other businesses nearby sustained broken windows and experienced interior damage.
Kercher Electric and Arbor Builders were tagged “Do Not Occupy” by City of Bend Building Department due to their structural damage.
Fortunately, none of the businesses were occupied at the time of the explosion.
Lindsay Cloud, owner of Velocity Property Management — located in the area — spoke with KTVZ News on the scene.
“This morning I woke up to a bunch of texts and calls from people concerned. And then J.R. from Arbor called me and said we have a problem. And I rushed down. It’s very scary because we have people coming and going there all the time. And to think that our car or a person could have been right here. It’s very scary,” said Cloud.
After investigating, officials released the cause of the explosion — an oxygen-acetylene welding setup inside a shipping container had leaked, causing the container to fill with extremely flammable vapors. A freezer was also inside the container and being powered by an extension cord. The electrical cord acted as an ignition source, leading to the explosion.
Though many are grateful no one was hurt by the explosion, some are asking how this could happen.
“Why wasn’t that monitored? I don’t know. It’s very scary,” stressed Cloud.
KTVZ spoke with Deputy Fire Marshal with Bend Fire and Rescue, Cindy Kettering, on the scene.
“This is not a criminal matter at all. There are no citations or charges being contemplated. This will be resolved between the insurance companies and the owners,” said Kettering.
Kettering said part of the cause was due to the extension cord — meant to be used for temporary and small amounts of electricity — to power a large appliance.
“You never want to have a power source or an ignition source in close proximity to a welding set up, any sort of flammable or combusted material needs clearance around it with flammable gases. They need clearance. They need to be stored away from direct sunlight, away from heat, away from ignition sources and the valves maintained in the off position,” warned Kettering.
Kettering also described the explosion and shared her gratitude that no one was injured.
“This was a large explosion. It took the box, which is a very sturdy structure, and sent portions of it over 30 yards away. There are sides and large pieces of metal that were shot over to neighboring buildings. It was a tremendous amount of force. It was very fortunate that it was an early hour where there were not people in the area,” said Kettering.
Earlier story — BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Fire and Rescue says a leaking oxygen-acetylene welding setup inside a shipping container sparked the powerful explosion that significantly damaged two Bend businesses and caused damage to four others.
Full release from Bend Fire and Rescue below:
Early in the morning of Friday, August 29, 2025, multiple 911 callers across Bend reported hearing a loud explosion, but there was no identified location or source for the explosion. A few minutes later, at 5:34 am, a 911 caller reported multiple cars striking debris on the Bend Parkway, with one of the vehicles sustaining a punctured fuel tank.
Fire crews arrived on scene and were able to mitigate the fuel leak. The source of the debris was found to be a large explosion that occurred at Kercher Electric, 132 NE Yale Avenue. A shipping container located outside the business had exploded, resulting in several businesses in the area sustaining damage to windows, doors, and walls. Two businesses, Kercher Electric and the neighboring Arbor Builders, sustained significant structural damage and were tagged “Do Not Occupy” by the City of Bend Building Department.
A total of six businesses received some degree of damage as a result of the explosion. All the businesses were unoccupied at the time of the explosion due to the early hour.
Upon investigation, it was found that an oxygen-acetylene welding setup inside the shipping container leaked, causing the closed shipping container to fill with the highly flammable mixture of oxygen and acetylene. There was also an upright freezer in use, powered by an extension cord running into the shipping container. This energized equipment provided an ignition source for the flammable vapors, causing the subsequent explosion.
Bend Fire & Rescue would like to remind the community to store flammable gases safely. Gas cylinders should be stored in well-ventilated areas away from direct sunlight and high temperatures, clear of any ignition sources, and secured upright to prevent tipping over. Always store cylinders with the valve in the “off” position. For more safety information regarding compressed gases, visit the OSHA website at https://osha.oregon.gov/oshapubs/factsheets/fs09.pdf
Earlier Reporting:
An explosion early Friday morning was caused by a shipping container filled with welding equipment that leaked, resulting in a highly flammable mixture of oxygen and acetylene filling the container.
A shipping container filled Bend Fire and Rescue says a large shipping container exploded at 5:34AM this morning
According to Bend Fire and Rescue, major damage has been confirmed for two buildings and minor damage to a third. An official investigation is underway by Bend Fire and Rescue and the Bend Police Department.
Deputy Fire Marshall Sidney Kettering told KTVZ News the Oregon State Police Explosives Unit has been contacted and will arrive on scene today.
The explosion occurred near 2524 NE Division Street, across the street from Riverview Park.
This is a developing story and KTVZ will provide updates as they become available.
Update 7:30 a.m.
According to Pulse Point, an explosion occurred on NE Divison Street in Bend. KTVZ is on scene and working to learn if this is connected to a loud boom heard across town around 5:20 a.m. Friday.
Officials on scene told KTVZ News the cause is still under investigation but they believe the explosion occurred from a shipping container box. No injuries have been reported.
Original report:
The large boom was heard and felt during KTVZ News at Sunrise’s 5 a.m. broadcast. Our team is working to find out more information.
It is not yet confirmed if the two incidents are connected.