Garage destroyed in explosion-fueled fire in The Dalles on 14th Street

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May 31

Written By Columbia Community Connection

The Dalles, Ore., May 31, 2026 — A garage was destroyed in a fire Saturday evening after an apparent oxy-acetylene tank explosion in a residential neighborhood in The Dalles, according to Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue.

Fire crews were dispatched at 7:39 p.m. May 30 to a reported structure fire in the 200 block of East 14th Street following reports of an explosion involving oxy-acetylene tanks.

Photo courtesy Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue

Neighbor Nancy Turner said she heard a loud explosion before seeing flames and thick black smoke rising above nearby rooftops.

"I heard a loud bang and thought it was a gunshot," Turner said. "Then I saw flames and black smoke billowing above the rooftops. It was a huge blast."

Responding units included Engine 21, Truck 23, Chiefs 21 and 24, Fire Medic units 21, 22 and 25, as well as officers from the The Dalles Police Department and the Wasco County Sheriff's Office.

Firefighters were able to contain the blaze primarily to the garage, preventing it from spreading to the adjacent home. The garage was destroyed, but the residence sustained only minor damage near the garage, according to witnesses.

Turner said emergency responders arrived within minutes.

"By the time I got there with my camera, the smoke had turned white," she said. "The firefighters and police were here at East 14th and Washington in minutes. The garage was destroyed, but the house was OK, just singed near the garage."

She praised the response by fire crews.

"The fire brigade came well equipped and did a great job getting the fire under control," Turner said.

Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue personnel remained on scene for several hours after the fire was extinguished to monitor hot spots and ensure the area was safe.

The cause of the explosion and fire was not immediately released.No injuries were reported. The homeowner was at the residence at the time of the incident and was unharmed.