Police recommend man be charged in Bremerton motel explosion



OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A man could face criminal charges in connection with a massive explosion in August that destroyed a Bremerton motel and left several people injured.

Our news partners The Seattle Times report police are recommending an assault charge against the man they say broke a gas meter and caused the explosion. The Kitsap County Prosecutor's Office has received the five-month investigation and hasn't yet made a charging decision.

Authorities had responded to the Motel 6 after a report of a natural gas leak.

Two firefighters, a police officer and a gas company employee working to cut off the gas were among those injured in the incident.

Police say the 32-year-old suspect, who had rented a room at the motel, stepped on a gas line and didn't alert anyone that it had been broken.