View this article online: https://www.claimsjournal.com/news/southeast/2011/08/22/189845.htm
Residents were evacuated after a series of explosions at a St. Augustine gas station sparked a massive blaze, seriously damaging several building and injuring one person.
Authorities said a fuel was being delivered Friday night when the explosion occurred. Several witnesses rescued a man injured in the initial blast. His condition was not known.
The Florida Times-Union reported that officials ordered a voluntary evacuation of homes within a half mile radius. Neighbors said the explosions sounded like cannons going off. Firefighters worked on the blaze for several hours and were able to contain it by 9 p.m.
Around 2,000 homes lost power as heavy black smoke rose from the station. Several building surrounding the gas station were seriously damaged and may have been destroyed.
The state Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating.