Explosives found after vehicle crashes into Portland athletic club, one dead

Federal agents are responding after explosives were found in a vehicle that crashed into the front entrance of an athletic club in downtown Portland, Oregon, early Saturday morning, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said. A person was found dead inside the vehicle. 

Portland Fire and Rescue responded to a report of a vehicle driving into the front entrance of the Multnomah Athletic Club at 2:49 a.m. local time, according to a news release from the department. 

The vehicle caught fire after the crash, the department said. Once the blaze was brought under control, law enforcement found the deceased person inside. The Portland Police Department’s Explosive Disposal Unit responded after evidence of an explosive device was found in the vehicle.

The person has not been identified, and an investigation is ongoing, police said. There was no word of whether the crash was intentional. 

Sources told The Oregonian that the driver of the vehicle was a former employee of the club. 

The club said in a statement that the facility will remain closed until further notice and that they are expecting a prolonged closure. The extent of the damage to the club was unclear. 

“Our team is cooperating fully with the Portland Police Bureau and Portland Fire & Rescue, who are leading the investigation. Out of respect for that process, we will defer to them for additional details,” the statement said.