Two people were killed and three others injured Tuesday morning when an explosion and fire ravaged an industrial complex in suburban Miami.
According to footage from nearby businesses and TV news helicopters, the explosion in Medley, Florida, sent a large fireball into the sky and left several trucks and other vehicles in flames, the AP reported.
A Miami-Dade Fire Rescue spokesman said when crews arrived, they found multiple people on fire.
According to the Miami-Dade Police Department, two people died at the scene and three others were injured in the fire. According to police, two of the injured were sent to Rider Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital in critical condition.
Before the fire started, officials confirmed that the employees were working on some heavy machinery.
βThe company seems to be a welding company. He was working on some heavy machinery and right now, investigators are still trying to determine what caused the fire,” said Miami-Dade Police Detective Luis Sierra.
Watch the videos below:
π¨#Update: At least two people were killed in an explosion at an industrial plant in Medley, Florida. Video shows multiple vehicles and structures engulfed in flames, three injured and one taken to hospital for severe burns and injuries. pic.twitter.com/rNUF92bJXt
β RAWSALERTS (@rawsalerts) February 21, 2023
π¨#Update: New footage has just been released showing the moment an industrial facility exploded, killing two and injuring three in a welding accident. pic.twitter.com/lwa34AjxgD
β RAWSALERTS (@rawsalerts) February 21, 2023
ABC News reported:
Officials said it was a dangerous situation as there were a lot of flammable materials in the area.
“Our units deployed multiple hose lines to bring the fire under control, but downed power lines were navigated at the most dangerous scene,” said Deputy Fire Chief Danny Cordesa.
One adult was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Rider Trauma Center and another was taken to the hospital by ground, authorities confirmed. First responders evaluated and treated a third victim at the scene.
“You have multiple vehicles on fire, you have flammable materials, you have several power lines with a total of five people who need rescue. It was a very challenging scene,” Cordesa said.
Officials confirmed that two victims died at the scene.
The fire has been extinguished and the cause of the fire is still unclear.
Officials did not say whether the five people involved in the incident were employees or customers of the welding company.
South River Drive will be closed until further notice, officials said.