Manager credited with saving dozens in Bremerton motel blast

SEATTLE – A fast-acting manager who evacuated a Washington motel minutes before a massive explosion is being credited with saving dozens of lives, including some who were staying in rooms that were reduced to rubble.

The blast Tuesday night critically injured a gas company worker and knocked back firefighters, but the guests were safely away before it tore apart the Motel 6 in Bremerton.

Two people initially were unaccounted for. However, Bremerton Fire Chief Al Duke said Wednesday no bodies were found in the debris and he was almost certain the missing guests were not caught in the explosion.

Cadaver dogs went through the building two or three times and found no evidence of bodies. Plus, investigators pinged the cellphones of the missing people, and they showed up “way south of the area,” Duke said.

Also Wednesday, investigators were looking into what caused the blast, including a report that someone might have accidentally damaged a gas line behind the building.

Cascade Natural Gas identified the worker injured in the explosion as Larry Jennings, 59. The Bremerton man remained in critical condition at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

The explosion ripped off a 16-room section of the hotel that collapsed in a pile of rubble and burned for hours. Some firefighters at the scene were blown back 20 feet by the force, and others pulled smoldering debris from the building to help contain the fire, Fire Capt. John Hawkins said at a news conference.

Duke credited acting hotel manager Tonya Hinds with quickly evacuating the building because she smelled and heard a gas leak. He also lauded the hotel’s guests for heeding the fire alarm.

More than 60 people were staying at the hotel, though it’s unclear how many were in the building when it was evacuated. About 10 people were staying in the area where the 16 rooms were destroyed, Duke said.

The fire department responded to the alarm just before 8 p.m., along with Jennings and another Cascade Gas employee. The explosion came half an hour later, injuring Jennings.

Two firefighters also were injured, but both were home Wednesday and in good condition, Hawkins said.