Explosions Rattle Border-North Megaplex

Puyallup Reporter

Date: 14 October 2085 By: Sage Andalucia

Main Report

Seattle’s Border North Megaplex was rocked by a series of powerful explosions late last night, sending shockwaves through the run-down complex and leaving its beleaguered residents shaken. The blasts occurred just after 10 p.m. on the 13th, tearing through several floors of the sprawling structure, which has stood in Redmond's Barrens for nearly 40 years.

While initial reports suggest there were no immediate fatalities, many have become concerned over the structural integrity for the building. Emergency services responded at roughly 1 A.M. on the 14th, but confusion reigns as residents continue to search for and demand answers regarding the cause of the explosions.

"It sounded like the building was ripping itself apart"

Speaking with residents, it’s clear that the explosions have only deepened the mistrust between the community and city officials.

“I was just getting my kid to sleep when—BOOM—something blew right beneath us,” said Maria Gonzales, a single mother of two. “It sounded like the building was ripping itself apart. I grabbed my kids and ran. I didn’t wait to see what would happen next.”

Another resident, David Patel, was watching trideo in his unit when the walls shook violently. “I thought it was an earthquake at first. The whole place started swaying, and you could hear pipes burst behind the walls. When I went out into the hall, everything smelled like burning metal and sewage. I swear I could hear an angry man saying 'How dare you shoot me in my thighs old man!' Why would the explosion sound that way?”

Many residents echoed similar stories, describing not only the terror of the explosions but also the long-standing neglect and decay within the megaplex.

Structural Engineer Warned of "Catastrophic Failures

A few months ago, structural engineer Thomas Warloff issued a scathing report on the building’s condition. According to Warloff, the Border North Megaplex has been overdue for critical infrastructure upgrades for years.

“This complex is... ...ticking time... ...bomb,” Warloff told the Puyallup Reporter in a brief interview. “The... ...electrical systems... ...are overloaded, the water lines are corroded... ...and many of the interior walls... ...are structurally compromised. The whole place is being held together... ...with tape... ...and rust. Any pressure... ...like a gas leak, or even... ...stray wiring—could... ..easily trigger a... ...disaster.”

Despite his dire warning, Warloff said his recommendations were ignored by the building’s absentee owners, who have done little beyond basic repairs.

Knight Errant Dismisses Faults Amid Missing Pipes

Knight Errant officers arrived shortly after the explosions to secure the scene, but their response left residents frustrated. When asked if sabotage could have caused the explosions, Officer Sarah McKinley gave a perplexing statement.

“I saw a bunch of pipes missing from the walls,” McKinley said. “Looked weird, yeah, but it was probably just faulty water pressure. I didn’t want to poke around too much—last thing we need is more paperwork, right?”

Her dismissive response has added fuel to the fire, with residents now speculating if the building’s deteriorating infrastructure was only part of the story. “If they don’t even want to get exploded, they can just sell their house and move” said McKinley when pressed.

No Clear Answers, Only Fear

Officials remain tight-lipped about the cause of the explosions, though an initial report from Knight Errant suggests the blasts may have been caused by gas line ruptures. Yet many residents remain unconvinced, citing the unexplained missing pipes and strange smells reported prior to the incident.

“We’ve been complaining about gas leaks for months,” said Maria Gonzales. “They never listened. Now this happens, and they still don’t care. How much longer are we supposed to live like this?”

While investigations are expected to continue, many residents are already considering relocation, though options for affordable housing in Puyallup are scarce. For now, Border North stands as a grim reminder of the systemic neglect that plagues the city's most vulnerable communities.

As the smoke clears and life resumes, the question on everyone's mind remains: how many more warnings will be ignored before another disaster strikes?

OOC Considerations

No innocents were hurt during or after the run. The News article was not meant to convey any harm coming to innocent civilians based on the actions of the runner nor the content of this news article.