Person found dead in car after it plows into health club in Portland, Oregon | Oregon

A man was found dead after a vehicle crashed into a health club in downtown Portland, Oregon, early Saturday morning, police said. Investigators later found explosives inside the car.

Portland police and the Portland Fire and Rescue Department responded to the Multnomah Athletic Club shortly before 3 a.m. after the vehicle crashed into the front entrance and caught fire. In the statement made by the police, it was stated that one person was found dead in the vehicle after the fire was taken under control.

Police said that an explosive disposal team was called after explosives were detected.

Sources said the driver of the vehicle was a former employee of the club. reported. According to investigators, one of the sources said the former employee, who was disgruntled and allegedly had mental health issues, rented a car on Friday and drove it into the building and around the facility’s first floor before detonating explosives believed to be a mix of propane tanks and pipe bombs, the Oregonian reported.

The club’s first floor featured a casual restaurant, formal event spaces, a members’ lounge overlooking Providence Park, a retail store, and reception. Other amenities included exercise rooms, pools, a rock climbing wall, an indoor track, several sports courts and three other restaurants.

Club spokesman Adam Linnman said in a statement that the accident occurred while the club was closed and no club members or staff were injured. He said club officials are reaching out to local and federal authorities for additional details.

The following statements were made in the statement on the club’s website: facility “It will remain closed until further notice” and asked members and neighbors to avoid the area until the investigation is complete. “Our team is fully cooperating with the Portland Police Bureau and Portland Fire and Rescue, which are conducting the investigation. Because we respect this process, we will contact them for additional details,” the statement said.

Special agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also responded to the incident, he said.

Founded in 1891 and with more than 21,000 members, Multnomah Athletic Club bills itself as the largest private athletic and social club in the United States.