Updated with developments from 4 p.m. news conference A massive explosion, apparently ignited by a natural gas leak, ripped through a building Wednesday along the popular Northwest 23rd Avenue shopping district, causing destruction and injuring eight people, including three firefighters, authorities said. NW Natural employees along with Portland firefighters responded to a natural gas leak reported at 8:55 a.m. in or near the 500 block of Northwest 23rd Ave., said spokeswoman Melissa Moore. "When we got there (at 9:10 a.m.), we evacuated the building," Moore said. "There was an ignition. We don't know the source." The explosion happened at 9:38 am., the utility reported. Some witnesses...
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