Apartment explosion caught on video as firefighters escape in Washington state
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Dramatic video captured the moment an explosion in the electrical room of a Washington state apartment complex sent flames and debris through firefighters investigating reports of smoke on Sunday.
Wild footage from Tacoma shows a fire crew prying open the electrical room door before thick smoke poured out. Seconds later, a powerful explosion pierced the doorway, shattering windows and sending vertical shutters and debris flying as firefighters quickly retreated from the building.
The person recording the incident briefly turned the camera away after the explosion. When the video focused again, firefighters were seen checking each other and moving away from the damaged building.
‘PARCEL BOMB’ EXPLODED IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA IN MONACO, 2 PEOPLE WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED: REPORTS
An explosion occurred minutes after Tacoma firefighters forced open the door to an apartment complex’s electrical room while investigating reports of smoke. The explosion sent flames and debris toward the crew, but no injuries were reported. (Credit: Joe D via Storyful)
The Tacoma Fire Department (TFD) later said no firefighters or residents were injured.
Firefighters responded to an apartment complex at 6400 S. 12th Street around 5:37 p.m., after receiving reports of an explosion and smoke coming from an electrical conduit, according to the department. Fire alarms went off after a resident pulled the alarm, prompting crews to evacuate the buildings as a precaution.
“Eight buildings have been evacuated indefinitely. There are no active fires,” TFD said in the update on X.
‘PARCEL BOMB’ EXPLODED IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA IN MONACO, 2 PEOPLE WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED: REPORTS
Firefighters and a police officer responded to an apartment complex in Tacoma, Washington, where an explosion forced the evacuation of multiple buildings Sunday. (Tacoma Fire Department X)
Officials said an electrical transformer malfunction sent smoke into multiple buildings, while Tacoma Utilities and fire investigators were working to determine the cause. Apartment residents were temporarily housed at Hunt Middle School.
In a later update, the ministry said the explosion occurred in the electrical room after firefighters cut off power to the building.
‘PARCEL BOMB’ EXPLODED IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA IN MONACO, 2 PEOPLE WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED: REPORTS
Firefighters and a police officer responded to an explosion at an apartment complex in Tacoma, Washington, causing multiple buildings to be evacuated. (Tacoma Fire Department X)
“An explosion occurred in the electrical room where firefighters were shutting off the building’s power,” Tacoma Fire Department wrote to X. Tacoma Utilities continued to investigate the cause of the explosion.
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The utility then allowed residents to return to all but 600 buildings while crews worked to restore power. The American Red Cross assisted residents who were removed from that building.
The Tacoma Fire Department said the explosion remains under investigation.
