Explosion guts laundromat, injuring 4 and heavily damaging 7 shops, Florida rescuers say
Four people were injured and seven nearby shops were heavily damaged when a laundromat exploded in a Florida strip mall, according to investigators.
Details of the victims’ injuries have not been released, but two required hospitalization, Ocala Fire Rescue reported in a news release.
The explosion happened around 6:20 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, and was powerful enough to blow off the roof and disintegrate the walls of the Classic Laundromat on NE 25th Avenue, photos show.
Debris was left in stacks around the parking lot, trapping cars in parking spaces, photos show.
“Rescue 3 arrived first, finding a single-level commercial structure, housing multiple shops, with smoke and flames coming from the area of the laundromat,” Ocala Fire Rescue reported.
“Once the fire was extinguished inspectors assessed the building’s structural integrity, deeming the laundromat and seven adjacent shops inaccessible.”
Rescuers did not reveal where the four injured people were found. A search of the laundromat was conducted after the fire was extinguished, officials said.
Witnesses said the explosion was powerful enough to be felt in the area, news outlets reported.
“I was standing there waiting on a customer, and I heard a loud boom ... and the whole store was shaking. ... Everything was up in smoke over there,” Shell station employee Norma Conwan told WOFL.
“I heard this loud explosion a mile away from my back porch and knew something drastic happened and my cat came running home!” Helen McNeill posted on the Ocala Fire Rescue Facebook page.
“Now I know why my house shook,” Cheryl Prevost wrote.
A cause has not been released, but a gas leak is suspected, WFTV reported.
The State Fire Marshals office and Ocala Fire Rescue Inspectors are investigating.
Surrounding businesses damaged by the explosion include restaurants, a pharmacy, liquor store and mobile phone outlet, maps show.
Ocala is about an 80-mile drive northwest from Orlando.
This story was originally published July 31, 2024 at 11:17 AM with the headline "Explosion guts laundromat, injuring 4 and heavily damaging 7 shops, Florida rescuers say."