Alabama Convention Center Explosion Caused by Natural Gas Issue

An explosion that damaged Selma’s city convention center on Monday was caused by a natural gas problem, the mayor told city leaders.

The Selma Times-Journal reported that Mayor James Perkins Jr. told a City Council meeting on Tuesday that Spire, a natural gas utility, had accepted responsibility for the explosion, which dislodged bricks and left cracks in walls at the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center.

The company blamed the blast on a technical problem that occurred while work was being performed, WSFA-TV reported.

People who reserved the convention center will receive a refund since it will be unavailable for an undetermined period, the mayor said.

“Thank God no one was in the building,” Perkins said.