Portland PB probes explosives found after fiery, fatal crash near Multnomah Athletic Club

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A crash that turned into a car fire in Portland left one person dead early Saturday morning in front of the Multnomah Athletic Club. Now an investigation is underway by the Portland Police Bureau and the FBI after explosives were found in the car, officials say. Just before 3 a.m. Saturday, Portland Fire and Rescue responded to a report that a vehicle had crashed into the front entrance of the Multnomah Athletic Club and caught fire. Investigators said after the fire was put out, they located a deceased person. Portland Police Bureau's Explosive Disposal Unit was called after evidence of an explosive device was found in the vehicle. John Carroll, a MAC club member and nearby resident, recalled when he learned of the incident, "What I've heard is a person drove a car through the front of the lobby, and a real surprised me continued driving on down to the ballroom and crashed. And he apparently passed away in that process. But, to have it in the in the lobby all the way down to the ballroom is just unbelievable." Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, along with representatives from the FBI, joined PPB officials in a press conference about the case on Saturday afternoon. PPB Chief Bob Day said the identity of the driver is not officially known or confirmed and that only the medical examiner can make that official statement. Commander Jim Crooker with the Special Resources division said, "It looked like there was more to detonate than was actually detonated. I think there was an intent to detonate a number of explosive devices that didn't go off." Authorities are asking community members to avoid Southwest 18th Avenue, which is closed from Southwest Taylor Street to Southwest Madison Street. Southwest 20th Avenue is also closed from Southwest Morrison Street to Southwest Madison Street. The Multnomah Athletic Club said it will remain closed until further notice in a statement: Early Saturday morning, a vehicle crashed into the Multnomah Athletic Club. The MAC will remain closed until further notice to allow law enforcement to complete its work and for our team to assess the damage. The response is being led in coordination among local and federal authorities, including the Portland Police Bureau and Portland Fire & Rescue, and our team is cooperating fully. We ask our members and neighbors to avoid the area at this time. Watch the entire PPB press conference in the video player above.