Gas company: ‘Technical issue’ led to explosion at Alabama convention center
Published 11:39 am Monday, August 30, 2021
A gas company said a technical issue caused explosion at the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center.
A spokesperson for Spire said that “a technical issue created a high-pressure situation and subsequent damage to the center.”
Spire said it would “do what’s right to resolve the situation.”
Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr. addressed the Selma City Council meeting last week and said that Spire accepts responsibility for the gas explosion.
Selma Interim Fire Chief Gabriel Sharpe said Tuesday that a gas explosion seemed possible.
The gas explosion left cracks in the building and dislodged bricks on the south side of the convention center, west side of the convention center facing city hall, roof elevated and came back down.
The explosion was felt at city hall. A budget meeting was held at City Hall, where the explosion could be heard.
People quickly left City Hall when the explosion occurred.
Perkins said architects will check city hall to see if it experienced any other damage from the explosion.
Perkins said that people who reserved the convention center will receive a refund. He declared the center is unavailable.
“Thank God no one was in the building,” Perkins said.