OCALA, Fla. – Friends and family of the victims injured in an explosion at a laundromat in Ocala say they had just put clothes into a dryer when they heard a loud noise, and the roof caved in on them.
Tiffany King — a god sister to India Delgado, who was one of those hurt in the blast — told News 6 that the family visits the Classic Laundromat & Dry Cleaner on Northeast 25th Avenue every week.
Delgado was there with her mother, Marilyn Vega, and her boyfriend Tuesday night when the explosion happened.
“Who would have thought in a million years?” King said. “I have close friends, so many people who come to this location. It’s just crazy.”
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Ocala Fire Rescue rushed to the building before 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, and found smoke and flames coming from the area of the laundromat. Four people in total were hurt, according to firefighters. Two of them were taken to the hospital and have since been released.
Officials said they suspect the explosion was caused by a gas leak, but they cannot confirm an official cause until their investigation is complete.
Ocala Fire Rescue, Ocala Police Department, Ocala Electric Utility, Ocala Water Resources, Ocala Building Department, Marion County Fire Rescue, and TECO Gas all responded to the scene.
Delgado’s loved ones told News 6 that she and her boyfriend both tried to help Vega, even though they were injured. Her boyfriend broke his leg and suffered a few burns.
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