http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/03/05/montana.blast/index.html?iref=newssearch

(CNN) -- An apparent natural gas explosion in downtown Bozeman, Montana, leveled three businesses Thursday morning, according to city and state officials.

"When we say gone, we mean gone. These three businesses are gone," said Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, who added that the state is providing help for clean up, and to businesses and residents who are affected.

One person remained unaccounted for Thursday evening, Bozeman Assistant City Manager Chuck Winn said.

"The situation remains unsafe for anyone to enter," Winn said. "So in terms of a search -- we are unable to do so at this time."

Winn said city crews are making progress cleaning up the area, but the damage is great. He said a meeting was planned Friday morning to give business owners and residents information about when they can return.

"It literally looks like a bomb went off in downtown Bozeman," he said. iReport.com: Photos from the scene

"Roofing material, construction material is scattered for three or four blocks," he said. "It was a very violent explosion."

Schweitzer added that the situation would "not be over in 24 hours."

The blast occurred about 8:15 a.m. on the town's Main Street, Fire Chief Jason Shrauger told CNN.

The city government declared a local emergency after the blast. Initially, 11 people were reported missing, but 10 were later accounted for, Winn said.

It was not clear what triggered the blast.




And to add insult to injury, the next day my aunt's restaurant in Whitehall an hour away burned down. There was also an explosion, but they don't know exactly what the cause was. How's that for a great weekend?

Ah man that sucks. I hope nobody got badly hurt.

1 person is still missing from the Bozeman explosion. Nobody got hurt in Whitehall, but my aunt lost some very sentimental things that can't be replaced.

That's horrid! It's as if there's somekind of leak in the gasline or is it sewage? Many years ago in a local mall here they had an explostion due to built up gases in the potty pipes! yeah boy! Gees... Glad your ok!

They really need to find out what happened and soon! Your aunts restaurant being an hour away... if the explostions are connected then there's no telling what further damage, injuries and deaths could possibly happen. Like dominos, it could rip through the whole surrounding area. Gosh!

UPDATES! We want UPDATES!

*I hope they find that other missing person soon too.

Well there was also an earthquake near Whitehall at 4am Friday morning, my aunt's restaurant burned down around 11am. People were wondering if maybe the quake shook loose some gas lines or something, but they're still investigating. It could have been cause by a faulty furnace or something too.

The Bozeman explosion was definitely caused by gas. It actually exploded from underneath the building I think.

That sucks for your aunt. I would hate to lose sentimental things.

Man, that's some scary stuff. I hope no more terrible things happen over there.

^Me too, they say these things come in 3s, but maybe that earthquake would count as the 3rd. I'm still a bit nervous about things, either way.

Well, there might be one death from the Bozeman explosion. They're still missing.


To add injury to insult to injury, I just found out that my biology teacher fell and broke her hip.

^^

UPDATE!!!

I just found this-
http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2009/03/09/breaking_news/90victimid.txt

And you know what's morbid? The victim's last name was Bowman. My aunt who just lost her restaurant's last name is Bowman.

How strange is that
The poor woman

^ I know right? And here's another weird coincidence- my aunt's restaurant was called the Legion Street Grill, and the American Legion building was destroyed here in Bozeman.

Wow, that's an awful series of freak accidents! I know you must be anxious/tense, but I'm glad to hear you're OK overall.

Aw.. I was so hoping they would find the missing person alive. Gods how sad.

The name & locations thing is a little Twilight Zone-ish! Still no word on what caused it or anything huh? Thanks for the update. Hopefully soon they'll know and beable to take measures so it won't happen again.

* Find them alive and not badly injured or at all.

Oh, wow. I spent part of my youth in Bozeman and my little brother now lives in Montana, but he's so understated that I didn't realize that something so crazy had happened. Whoa. thanks for the update,

http://www.montanasnewsstation.com/Global/story.asp?S=9960875