Motel Partially Collapses After Explosion; Man Feared to Be Buried in Rubble

By Mary Mitchell

Published on June 27, 2006

Most of the motel guests had checked out before the explosion occurred at approximately 9 a.m. A preliminary investigation suggested that a gas leak, possibly originating in a laundry and maintenance room at the center of the damage, was the source of the explosion. The blast collapsed the roof over one corner of the guest rooms and dumped debris on the cars parked below.

The police and fire departments in Bremen, a town of less than 5,000 residents, responded immediately to the call. Due to the fire, however, they were unable to begin search-and-rescue efforts for a missing 44-year-old maintenance worker who was thought to be at the motel. All other people who were inside the building have been accounted for.

The cause of the explosion, which was heard at least two miles from the motel, remains under investigation.

Comment on this article →