DURHAM, N.C. – Wednesday marks five years since a fatal gas explosion in downtown Durham. A three-month long investigation found that a natural gas line was hit while drilling underground for a construction project. Two people died and dozens were injured.

What You Need To Know

  • Wednesday marks five years since a fatal gas explosion in downtown Durham

  • The explosion was ruled accidental after a natural gas line was hit while drilling underground for a construction project

  • Two people died and dozens were injured, including nine firefighters

  • One downtown Durham restaurant owner says it’s been challenging navigating that tragedy and then the pandemic afterward

The scents and flavors in the kitchen at Goorsha transport you to Ethiopia.

“We caramelize the onion first and then we add the chili powder,” Fasil Tesfaye, the owner of Goorsha, said. “You always want to promote your culture, your country. You want people to come and gather together and experience that culture. So food is the best way to do it.”

Tesfaye opened Goorsha about seven years ago and less than two years in, tragedy rocked the Bull City.

“I was almost on Fayetteville Road and along Main Street, and I heard it as far as that,” Tesfaye said.

A natural gas line was hit during a construction project, causing a fatal explosion.

“It was a very traumatic experience. And when you hear it, and then you don't know what exactly happened for a good 15, 20 minutes. It was chaos until we figured out exactly what happened,” Tesfaye said.

Tesfaye says he knows one of the two people killed that day.

An aerial view of the aftermath of the Durham gas explosion in April 2019. (Spectrum News 1/Mark Barger)

“It's been difficult for them. I know, personally, a family that was affected by it. But it's a difficult time. It was a difficult time for everybody,” Tesfaye said.

He says businesses like his were also impacted, adding that it took almost a year to feel like things were back to normal.

“It was a little bit difficult for us to get that traction back again,” Tesfaye said.

Then, the COVID-19 pandemic. Two moments in history that have shaped the world around them. Ones they’ll never forget.

“We're still trying to adjust to the new normal. And so we're still trying to figure out how to proceed forward. Every day is a new challenge,” Tesfaye said.

“In a way, humanity will continue. But hopefully we won't have that kind of tragic accident again. It was something that could be avoided. It affected so many people, especially the families who are immediately impacted by it,” Tesfaye said.

Nine firefighters were hurt responding to the gas explosion in Durham.