Several roads remain closed in downtown Durham as crews work through the rubble left in the aftermath of the deadly explosion on Wednesday.

Durham Fire officials said Thursday morning that streets around the area of the explosion remain closed: Duke Street from Chapel Hill Street to Fernway Avenue, Main Street from Gregson Street to Fuller Street and Morgan Street from Gregson to Fuller.

The owner of the Kaffeinate coffee shop, 61-year-old Kong Lee was killed in the explosion, which was triggered by a gas leak. The explosion rocked downtown Durham, causing damage to buildings up to several blocks away.

In addition to the one fatality, 17 individuals were injured, including one Durham firefighter who underwent surgery on Wednesday. One patient was transported to the Jaycee Burn Center at UNC.

The Durham School of the Arts property is adjacent to the block where the explosion occurred. The school is closed Thursday as officials are inspecting the structural integrity of the building. Students were dismissed early Wednesday, but officials said there were no injuries reported among students or staff.

Emergency officials ask that motorists avoid the area while crews are combing through the rubble.

Photo via Alert Durham

Related Stories
‹
Fire Dept.: Gas Explosion that Leveled Building was Accident
North Carolina fire investigators have determined that a deadly natural gas explosion in a busy shopping district earlier this year was accidental. The Durham Fire Department issued a report Friday on the April 10 explosion that killed two people and injured 25 while leveling a downtown building and damaging others. The report said the explosion was caused […]
Utility Worker Injured in Durham Explosion Dies
A utility worker who was on the scene of a gas explosion in downtown Durham two weeks ago has died. UNC Hospitals confirmed the death of Jay Rambeaut on Thursday. Rambeaut had been at the Jaycee Burn Center at UNC since the explosion on April 10 that rocked downtown Durham. The owner of the Kaffeinate […]
NC Governor Seeks Economic Aid for Businesses at Blast Site
Gov. Roy Cooper wants the federal government’s help in assisting businesses in a North Carolina city also feeling the results of a deadly natural gas explosion at cash registers. Cooper has written the U.S. Small Business Administration asking it take action so that some Durham businesses can access disaster loans after the April 10 explosion. […]
Energy Company Employee Faces Uncertain Future After Blast
An energy company employee who suffered critical injuries from last week’s fatal gas explosion in North Carolina faces an uncertain future. The family of PSNC employee Jay Rambeaut told WRAL on Tuesday that he has 150 holes in his chest from debris. He also has a skull fracture and debris in his brain. Rambeaut’s sister-in-law, Donna Jackson, […]
4 Remain Hospitalized after North Carolina Gas Explosion
Four people remain hospitalized after last week’s fatal gas explosion in North Carolina. The blast in Durham killed one person and injured 25 others. The Raleigh News & Observer reported Monday that those who remain hospitalized include the chief executive officer of a fiber company. PS Splicing Vice President Rodney Fields told the newspaper that CEO Don […]
Durham Celebrates 150th Anniversary, Honors Blast Victims
A North Carolina city is celebrating its 150th anniversary while honoring the victims of a fatal explosion that happened on its birthday. Durham on Saturday kicks off a year of celebrations marking 150 years since the one-time railroad depot between Raleigh and Hillsborough became a city unto itself on April 10, 1869. That anniversary was […]
Family Remembers Coffee Shop Owner Killed in Durham Explosion
The family of a Durham coffee shop owner killed in an explosion Wednesday is remembering him as having “the biggest, purest heart of anyone we know.” The family of 61-year-old Kong Lee posted the tribute on Friday morning, two days after Lee was killed in an explosion in downtown Durham caused by a gas leak […]
Gas Explosion also Damaged World-Famous Porsche Collection
The gas explosion that killed one person and injured 25 others in North Carolina also damaged a building that houses a rarely seen but world famous collection of Porsches. The Ingram Collection is housed next to the building in Durham that collapsed Wednesday. The structure that holds the German-made sports cars was extensively damaged. About half its […]
Owner of Downtown Durham Coffee Shop Killed in Gas Leak Explosion
Durham officials confirmed that the victim of Wednesday’s gas leak explosion is 61-year-old Kong Lee, the owner of the Kaffeinate coffee shop. One person has died in an explosion that shook downtown Durham on Wednesday morning. Emergency crews are on the scene on North Duke Street attempting to put out the fire that has […]
'Where Do We Draw the Line?': NC Legislation Targets Public School Libraries
In this legislative session, North Carolina Republican lawmakers sponsored bills that would allow more control over public school libraries.
›