A person has been found dead after a vehicle carrying explosives crashed into a health club in downtown Portland, Oregon, early on Saturday morning. Police and fire services responded to the Multnomah Athletic Club shortly before 3am after the vehicle drove through the front entrance and caught fire.
Once the blaze was extinguished, a person was discovered dead inside the vehicle, police said. Investigators later found evidence of an explosive device, prompting the deployment of an explosive disposal unit.
According to the Oregonian newspaper, sources said the driver was a former employee of the club, believed to be disgruntled and with mental health issues. The former employee allegedly rented a car on Friday, drove it into the building and around the first floor, then set off explosive devices thought to be a mix of propane tanks and pipe bombs.
The club's first floor housed a restaurant, event spaces, a members' lounge, a retail store and the front desk. Other amenities included workout rooms, pools, a rock-climbing wall, an indoor track, sports courts and three additional restaurants.
A club spokesperson, Adam Linnman, confirmed that no members or staff were injured as the club was closed at the time. The club's website announced it would remain closed until further notice, with officials deferring to local and federal authorities for further details. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also responded to the incident.
