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A massive explosion of hundreds of pounds of fireworks this week rocked an island community in Western Washington, destroying several homes and injuring five people, including three firefighters, according to officials.
The fire was likely caused by someone smoking too close to where stored fireworks were kept at a home in the Lagoon Point neighborhood, Central Whidbey Island Fire & Rescue Chief Jerry Helm told FOX 13.
“They’re kind of like a little ticking time bomb, and you’re not sure when they’re going to go off,” Helm said of fireworks.
Three firefighters were injured in the explosion after they responded to a call of a house fire in the neighborhood Wednesday afternoon, the Island County Sheriff’s Office said in a Thursday release.
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The explosion was likely caused by someone smoking near stored fireworks, authorities said. (FOX 13)
Two of the firefighters are now recovering at home and the third is expected to leave the hospital soon.
Two civilians took themselves to the hospital before first responders could evaluate them, the release said.
The sheriff’s office said it will determine after the investigation if any criminal charges are warranted.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is also investigating.
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A Whidbey Island home was destroyed by the explosion. (Island County Sheriff’s Office)
The first house was destroyed along with a neighboring one that caught fire, and a third home was damaged in the blast.
Tanya Hernandez-Garzon, one of the neighbors who lost her home, told FOX 13 that the fireworks were “exploding and shooting everywhere.”
“It’s sad to see somebody so immature that they don’t think of other people and to see how much damage is done is really heartbreaking,” she said.
A view of the explosion from a Ring camera. (FOX 13)
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Hernandez-Garzon was able to save her five dogs and pet bird.
“Our main concern was to get the dogs out of the house. Everything else is replaceable, but not my animals,” she added.
She said she slept in her truck that night, but isn’t sure where she’s going to go.