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'Just devastating': Neighbors of Phantom Fireworks had concerns about fire, explosions
Brevard County residents who live near a Phantom Fireworks store said their worst nightmares came true after the building erupted into flames when a vehicle crashed into the building.
Florida Highway Patrol confirmed that a 53-year-old man died after he rear-ended a vehicle and drove through the front window of Phantom Fireworks in West Melbourne, Florida, which started a fire that quickly engulfed the business.
According to FHP's report, the driver, later identified as John Marcano, of West Melbourne, died at the scene of the fire. His cause of death was not immediately known. It is also not known what caused the crash before he drove into the business.
Phantom Fireworks fire: Photos, videos show explosion at West Melbourne fireworks store
FHP said Marcano's vehicle hit the rear of a truck and continued to push the truck through the intersection of S. John Rodes Blvd. and U.S. Highway 192 and into the business parking lot, before he drove through the front window. The driver in the truck was not injured.
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New videos show fire, fireworks explode at Phantom Fireworks in West Melbourne
A large fire has sparked at Phantom Fireworks in West Melbourne, Florida, sending a column of smoke – and the occasional firework – into the air. Video showed several fire departments and ladder trucks pouring water onto the fireworks business.
FHP said the impact from the crash ignited some of the fireworks inside the building. Soon, flames and smoke – and the occasional firework – filled the sky above the building. Videos shared with FOX 35 from those nearby captured the sounds of multiple fireworks exploding, as fire crews attempted to extinguish the fire.
"Wow. Can you imagine if that place blew," said Chris Webb, who lives about a mile away from the business, which was left in ruins after the fire.
"It was a beautiful big black smoke coming up and son immediately called me up and told me what happened," she said.
Or Vadai also lives nearby and saw the smoke and flames.
"I just started to see a big smoke and I thought what is going on, and I started to take a video and I started to see the fireworks started to go boom boom boom, everything," he said.
Officials said all the employees who were in the building at the time of the crash were able to get out safely. Employees told a FOX 35 reporter that they are not sure yet at what is next for them or the business.
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VIDEO: Fireworks explode after fire engulfs fireworks business
Firefighters are battling a fire at a fireworks store in Brevard County, according to fire officials, which is also causing several of the fireworks to explode. Helicopter video shows some of the fireworks igniting inside the building. It's not clear yet if anyone was inside the building at the time, or if anyone has been hurt.
The investigation into the traffic crash and the explosion are both under investigation, FHP said.