Tuesday 10/20: City authorities have now confirmed that Saturday's explosion on Miller Circle was caused by a natural gas leak inside the building. No indication of a criminal act. The barber at one of the businesses in the building, Naza Salon and Barbershop has told several outlets that he smelled gas approximately 15 minutes before the 8:30 a.m. blast. Read more HERE and HERE
Monday 10/19: Fire investigators remain on the seen of the explosion Saturday on Miller Circle in Harrisonburg. Investigators are combing through rubble following protocol of ruling out causes before being able to ID the cause to the general public. We're expecting an announcement sometime early week as to the cause of the explosion. Fire investigators have cordoned off most of the East end of Miller Circle with privacy fence erected this morning around the scene of the explosion. The general public is being kept at a distance while the investigation continues.
According to online reports and videos shared on social media, the loud boom most of Harrisonburg and the surrounding area heard this morning around 830 was centered off South Main Street near Miller Circle. Video and online reports show destruction from an explosion in the small shopping center off Miller Circle behind Wendy's off South Main Street. Helicopter Ambulances have transported three injured one to Sentara/RMH and two to UVA. No further reports on scale of injuries. The shopping center housed several small businesses and was located across from Domino's Pizza and near Funky's skate rink. Both of those businesses suffered some damage. South Main is blocked to traffic from Pleasant Hill Road to Port Road at the present time while clean up continues. Authorities have not released the cause as the investigation has just begun. The sound from the explosion was heard miles away...updates to come.
9:30 AM Update from city officials: Three injured have been transported to area hospitals for treatment. Two in serious condition, one in minor condition.
1030a update: city officials would not confirm the Governor Northam's tweet about the explosion being "gas" related.
1115 update: Fire is contained. Fire still burning inside the structure. City fire officials have not confirmed what the cause of the initial explosion was. Gas and electricity have been "secured" in the immediate area. Cannot confirm where the three injured victims were located as they were outside the building involved when emergency personnel arrived. Traffic along US 11/South Main street is still blocked from South Ave to Pleasant Hill Road.
1130 update: Fire is contained but not out. Gas and electricity have been shut off in the area as a normal precaution. City fire officials are not confirming cause at this point. Confirmation of two injured flown to UVA and the third minor injury was taken to Sentara/RMH.