ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A possible gas explosion sparked a fire Friday morning at an apartment building in Orange County, leaving one person with second-degree burns, according to firefighters.
The fire broke out in the 7300 block of Woodhill Park Drive.
The burn victim, whose age has not been released, was taken to a hospital as a trauma alert patient, according to Orange County Fire Rescue.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but gas has been turned off to the building, which was evacuated.
“Upon arrival, there was no visible smoke or flames. There was visible damage to the building, which indicated a possible gas explosion,” OCFR spokesperson Victoria Padoban said.
Photos of the scene, shared by the fire department on social media, show damaged windows, strewn debris and glimpses of an apartment’s scorched interior.
“It’s very scary because I was sleeping, and when I wake up, and I smell something like gas, I checked my stove,” resident Lolita Jacques told News 6. “And when I saw that everything is OK, I’m like, ‘Where is this smell coming from?’”
It’s not known how many people have been displaced, but the Salvation Army is assisting them, officials said.
PIO on scene. Staging near 1000 building for sound at 11:30. https://t.co/SHDYqY1RaG pic.twitter.com/m1C2YU5aLj
— OCFire Rescue (@OCFireRescue) March 1, 2024
Check back with News 6 for updates.
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