WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. (CBS Newspath/Stringer/WKRC) – A fire caused approximately 700 pounds of illegally stored fireworks to ignite, destroying two homes, authorities said.
A massive explosion caused by hundreds of pounds of illegally stored fireworks destroyed two homes, damaged a third and injured firefighters and residents on Washington’s Whidbey Island, according to authorities.
(CBS Newspath/Stringer)
According to KOMO, the explosion was so powerful it could be heard and felt for miles.
Fire officials said multiple explosions erupted after a fire broke out at a home where a large cache of fireworks had recently been delivered.
Investigators believe a cigarette ignited about 700 pounds of illegally stored firework, according to KING. The station reported explosions continued for hours, sending debris hundreds of feet from the blast site.
“It was like a war zone at first,” neighbor Tom Selvidge said when speaking with KING’s reporters.
“Windows shook. A couple pictures came off the wall inside,” neighbor Chris Tincher told KING. “My wife thought it was an earthquake.”
Three firefighters and two people from the home were injured. One of the firefighters was seriously injured while attempting to connect a hose to a fire hydrant and could lose a finger, according to KING-TV.
Chief Jerry Helm of Central Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue said the incident could easily have turned deadly and serves as a sobering reminder about the dangers of improperly storing fireworks.
