Coffee Shop Owner Dead And Many Injured In Durham Explosion Caused By Gas Leak

There was an explosion downtown Durham area caused by a gas leak that had the neighborhood literally shaking.

One person was killed and 17 were injured after a natural gas explosion in Durham, North Carolina Wednesday morning.

The explosion occurred at 10:07 a.m., about 30 minutes after firefighters responded to a 911 call reporting the smell of gas in the 100 block of North Duke Street.

As firefighter hurried to evacuate Durham residents in the area, a beloved coffee shop owner decided to stay behind.
Officials say that 61-year old Kong Lee was killed as he was closing up his place of business, Kaffeinate coffee shop.

“He was just making sure everyone was out, everyone was OK, and he was doing his job,” Jennifer Oldham, the owner of a nearby business, told NBC affiliate WRAL of Raleigh. “We’re just heartbroken for that family and his children.”
Here’s more from CBS News:

Seventeen people were injured in the blast, including nine firefighters, officials said.

Officials state that the most seriously injured firefighter, Darren Wheeler of the Durham Fire Department, underwent surgery and was expected to be released from the hospital soon, Zoldos said.

They also said that the cause of the gas leak begin with a contractor doing some underground work. Here’s more on that report:

Our latest updated source states that the contractor will not be charged and local residents are headed back home to put their lives back together.

ABC 11 reports:

As cleanup and search efforts continued Friday, Duke Hospital released an update on the status of some of those injured during Wednesday morning’s gas explosion that left one dead and 25 hurt.

As of Friday, Duke said, two of the five patients who remained at Duke Hospital have been discharged. Two others were transferred to UNC Hospital.

The fifth patient remains at Duke in critical condition.

No other details were immediately available.

ABC11 has learned that the State Department of Labor is investigating the explosion. They’re looking into the cause and whether a violation of OSH safety or health standards occurred.

Let’s pray for a speedy recovery and rebuilding of Durham, as well for the family of Kong Lee. Now, you’re officially in the know.