This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG.
The explosion was likely caused by someone smoking near hundreds of pounds of stored fireworks, officials said.
A massive explosion of hundreds of pounds of fireworks this week rocked an island community in Western Washington, destroying several homes and injuring five people, including three firefighters, according to officials.
The fire was likely caused by someone smoking too close to where stored fireworks were kept at a home in the Lagoon Point neighborhood, Central Whidbey Island Fire & Rescue Chief Jerry Helm told FOX 13.
“They’re kind of like a little ticking time bomb, and you’re not sure when they’re going to go off,” Helm said of fireworks.
Three firefighters were injured in the explosion after they responded to a call of a house fire in the neighborhood Wednesday afternoon, the Island County Sheriff’s Office said in a Thursday release.
‘I’M AN ER DOCTOR — THESE ARE THE INJURIES I SEE MOST ON 4TH OF JULY’
The explosion was likely caused by someone smoking near stored fireworks, authorities said. (FOX 13)
Two of the firefighters are now recovering at home and the third is expected to leave the hospital soon.
Two civilians took themselves to the hospital before first responders could evaluate them, the release said.
The sheriff’s office said it will determine after the investigation if any criminal charges are warranted.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is also investigating.
HONOLULU FIREWORKS ACCIDENT KILLS 3, INJURES OVER 20: ‘WORST POSSIBLE, WARN-ZONE INJURIES’
A Whidbey Island home was destroyed by the explosion. (Island County Sheriff’s Office)
The first house was destroyed along with a neighboring one that caught fire, and a third home was damaged in the blast.
Tanya Hernandez-Garzon, one of the neighbors who lost her home, told FOX 13 that the fireworks were “exploding and shooting everywhere.”
“It’s sad to see somebody so immature that they don’t think of other people and to see how much damage is done is really heartbreaking,” she said.
A view of the explosion from a Ring camera. (FOX 13)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Hernandez-Garzon was able to save her five dogs and pet bird.
“Our main concern was to get the dogs out of the house. Everything else is replaceable, but not my animals,” she added.
She said she slept in her truck that night, but isn’t sure where she’s going to go.
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use , and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.
Subscribed
You’ve successfully subscribed to this newsletter!
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG.
Leave a Reply