Three small businesses were destroyed by the natural gas explosion.
Three small businesses were destroyed by the natural gas explosion. ASK

Back in March, an explosion caused by a natural gas leak leveled three small businesses—Mr. Gyros, Neptune Coffee, and Quik Mart—all of which sat in the heart of Greenwood. The blast damaged a number of the surrounding businesses on the intersection of 85th Street and Greenwood Avenue and even made one resident homeless. Nine firefighters who were investigating the gas leak were also injured.

Although no entity was initially declared to be at fault for the explosion, investigators from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) found that an unsealed and abandoned gas line once maintained by Puget Sound Energy was the cause of the explosion. The UTC's investigation revealed that a pipeline between Mr. Gyros and Neptune "was left active despite being abandoned in 2004" and was broken by people storing belongings in the space, The Seattle Times reports.

As a result of the investigation, the department has filed a complaint against the utility alleging 17 violations of pipeline-safety regulations. If affirmed by the commission, the utility could face up to $3.2 million in penalties.

A statement released by PSE called the fines “disappointing and excessive.”

Tim Pipes, owner of the Angry Beaver hockey bar, which reopened in late July, says PSE's reaction to the fine was inappropriate. Representatives with PSE didn't respond to calls for comment.

"[PSE is] so lucky that no one got killed in the accident. We're always standing out there, yakking among ourselves. It was pure dumb luck that nobody was standing outside of my bar that night. If they had been, somebody would’ve been killed," he says. "Take some fucking responsibility. ... Instead of bitching about $3.2 million, they should be standing up to the plate."

More than six months after the explosion, the neighborhood is still recovering. Some businesses, such as Gorditos and the Bureau of Fearless Ideas writing center, only reopened this month, Pipes says. When he and other business owners didn't receive adequate help from city or state officials in the wake of the explosion, he says the Phinney Neighborhood Association stepped in and hosted fundraisers to support residents and businesses affected by the blast.

"Thank god for the PNA. We wouldn’t be open without them," he says. "Between my insurance bailing out and PSE not taking any responsibility and the City not stepping up, it was a really hard time. ... I’d like an apology from somebody at some point."

Pipes told The Stranger that he is considering taking legal recourse. Gorditos owner Shannon Hall did not respond to calls for comment.

This post has been updated since publication.