A neighbor’s door camera caught the moment a house on Smugglers Cove Road near Lagoon Point on Whidbey Island simply ceased to exist in a massive fireworks explosion.
I had heard about this story, but the newly released video shocked me. Now that it has been a few days, multiple camera angles have been released that captured the actual blast.
Whidbey Island Fireworks Explosion Looked Like Something from an Action Movie
One video from the explosion was caught by a bystander standing near fire trucks on the street. It captures the blast from ground level, and you can see the force of the explosion, before the camera shoots straight down because they react to the shockwave and run.
Another shot from after the explosion shows chopper footage overhead, showing nothing left but black and grey rubble and a burnt skeleton frame where a home used to be.
Three firefighters were standing approximately 20 feet from the explosion, but all survived.
What Caused the Explosion on Whidbey Island on Wednesday Afternoon
At approximately 2:45 PM on June 24, residents called 911 to report a house fire on Smugglers Cove Road near Lagoon Point. Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue responded along with South Whidbey Fire, North Whidbey Fire and Rescue, Navy Region Northwest, and additional law enforcement agencies.
Shortly after crews arrived and had just begun working the fire, the house exploded.
The homeowner had been storing hundreds of pounds of fireworks inside the residence for an upcoming private event. Investigators believe he allegedly smoked near them, igniting the cache. The worst part is that when fire crews first arrived, they had no idea what dangers were inside that house.
The Damage and the Injuries
Two deputy chiefs and one firefighter were injured in the explosion. Two were treated and released. One firefighter required hand surgery, but all three are in stable condition.
The home storing the fireworks was destroyed. A neighboring second home also caught fire and was destroyed. A third home also sustained significant damage from the explosion.
Two civilians transported themselves to the hospital, but their conditions are unknown because they did not go through official channels.
The aerial footage shows the scale of the destruction, with the entire footprint now black ash and debris where a house stood less than an hour before.
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Gallery Credit: Aj Brewster