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A quiet early morning in Portland turned into a scene of chaos, fire, and explosives when a vehicle smashed into the Multnomah Athletic Club and erupted into flames, leaving one person dead and triggering a sweeping investigation involving bomb technicians, FBI agents, and multiple emergency agencies. Authorities now say the crash may have been intentional, with evidence of homemade explosives and propane tanks discovered inside the building.

The incident has forced the iconic 135-year-old club to shut down indefinitely, shaken members, and raised urgent questions about what led to the devastating event.

Early Morning Crash Sparks Fire Inside Club

Portland Fire & Rescue crews were dispatched at approximately 2:49 a.m. on May 2 after reports that a vehicle had crashed through the front entrance of the Multnomah Athletic Club.

"Some employees saw a vehicle slowly driving around the location and enter into the MAC club through a window, and that vehicle continued driving inside of the MAC club," said Portland Police Commander James Crooker. "And, it was shortly found engulfed in flames by the employees who called 911."

Firefighters extinguished the blaze and later discovered one person dead inside the vehicle.

Explosives Found as Bomb Squad Races to Secure Scene

The investigation escalated rapidly after authorities uncovered multiple hazardous materials inside the building, including homemade explosive devices and propane tanks.

Jim DeFrain, supervisor of the Explosive Disposal Unit, said the complexity of the scene continued to grow as teams worked through the wreckage.

"There's been three or four different times over the course of the afternoon whereas we process, we find another device that we need to work with, and so that slows everything down," DeFrain said.

"It looked like there was an intent to detonate more than actually, ultimately was detonated," he added.

DeFrain also raised concerns about a nearby gas line close to the kitchen area where the vehicle caught fire, adding another layer of danger for first responders.

The bomb squad used remote-controlled robots to safely move suspicious devices and prevent further risk.

"I've been a bomb technician here in the city for over 13 years," DeFrain said. "This is by far the most complex scene that I've ever dealt with."

Police Say Incident Appears Isolated, No Ongoing Threat

Portland Police Chief Bob Day said investigators believe the situation is contained and there is no evidence of additional danger to the public.

"The high levels of explosives and concern around fire and damage certainly warranted that early response," Day said. "But, we can assure both the members of Goose Hollow, this community, the Timbers organization, Thorns, and greater Portland area that we feel like we've got things contained at the moment."

Authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the crash and explosion.

Club Leadership Responds as Community Reacts

Multnomah Athletic Club General Manager Charles Leverton addressed the incident, emphasizing the institution’s long history and resilience.

"We've worked through some hard times before," Leverton said. "We're 135 years part of this Portland community, and as a key pillar, and we've gotten through some tough times, and we'll get through this as well."

He also thanked the community for its support as the investigation continues.

In an emailed statement, the club’s communications director confirmed the severity of the situation and ongoing uncertainty.

“Early Saturday morning, a vehicle crashed into the Multnomah Athletic Club. We are deeply saddened to learn that one individual was found deceased at the scene. We are still assessing the full extent of the damage. Thankfully, no MAC members, staff, or guests were injured.”

“We are grateful for the swift response and coordination among local and federal authorities, including the Portland Police Bureau and Portland Fire & Rescue. Our team is cooperating fully as they lead the investigation, and out of respect for that process, we’ll defer to them for additional details.”

The statement added further closure details:

“The MAC will remain closed until further notice to allow law enforcement to complete their work and for us to ensure the facility is safe. At this time, we do not have a timeline for reopening,” the statement said.

The club also confirmed it will remain closed indefinitely on its Facebook page and urged the public to stay away from the area.

Victim Not Identified as Investigation Widens

Police have not released the identity of the deceased individual and confirmed only that the driver was a man. Investigators are still working to determine whether he had any connection to the club.

The FBI is assisting with the ongoing investigation, and bomb squad teams remained on scene throughout the day.

Mayor Praises Rapid Response as Potential Disaster Contained

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson credited emergency crews with preventing an even greater tragedy.

"[Portland Fire & Rescue] got the call early and they responded with their quick work, their training; they took a possible catastrophic event, and we're here talking about a tragic event instead," Wilson said. "So their quick action really kept this from being a very large incident that was going to affect a lot of people."

Wilson also expressed condolences and noted that investigators will examine the individual’s background to better understand the incident.

Community Members Describe Shock and Fear

Club member Steve Blair said he received an early message from the MAC and reacted with concern after learning about possible explosives inside the building.

"wonderful place in which to raise their children, because there's so many activities."

He added:

"It's got to be frightening to kind of see this going on," Blair said.

Blair called the incident deeply tragic.

"And it's sad to know that someone died, and I don't know how they died."

Bomb Squad Activity and Road Closures Continue

Witnesses reported heavy bomb squad activity throughout the building, including the use of robots to move suspicious objects. Evidence markers, propane tanks, and other materials were seen inside the facility, while the damaged vehicle remained out of sight deep within the structure.

Road closures remain in effect as the investigation continues. Southwest 18th Avenue is closed from Southwest Taylor Street to Southwest Madison Street, and Southwest 20th Avenue is closed from Southwest Morrison Street to Southwest Madison Street.

Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact [email protected].

As investigators continue to piece together what happened inside the historic club, the focus remains on uncovering the motive behind a crash that turned into a deadly fire and a major explosives investigation in the heart of Portland.