Explosion erupts as firefighters investigate apartment complex
Explosion rocks apartment complex as firefighters are investigating
An explosion rocked an apartment complex in Tacoma, Washington, on Sunday, June 28, prompting officials to evacuate eight buildings. (Credit: Credit: Joe D via Storyful)
TACOMA, Wash. - Dramatic video captured the instant an explosion tore through the electrical room of a Washington state apartment complex Sunday, sending flames and debris toward firefighters who were investigating reports of smoke.
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Video from Tacoma shows firefighters prying open the electrical room door before thick smoke pours out. Moments later, a massive explosion bursts through the entrance, blowing out windows and hurling vertical blinds and debris into the air as crews scramble away from the building.
The person filming briefly turned the camera away in the immediate aftermath of the explosion. When the video returned, firefighters were seen checking on each other before continuing to move away from the damaged structure.
The Tacoma Fire Department (TFD) later confirmed that no firefighters or residents were hurt in the incident.
Crews were dispatched around 5:37 p.m. to the apartment complex at 6400 S. 12th St. after reports of an explosion and smoke coming from an electrical conduit, according to the department. After a resident activated the fire alarm, firefighters evacuated the buildings as a precaution.
Dramatic video captured the moment an explosion erupted inside the electrical room of a Tacoma, Washington, apartment complex as firefighters investigated reports of smoke. (Credit: Credit: Joe D via Storyful)
What they're saying:
"Eight buildings evacuated indefinitely. No active fire," the TFD said in an update on X.
Officials said an electrical transformer malfunction forced smoke into several buildings as Tacoma Public Utilities and fire investigators worked to identify the cause. Residents were temporarily relocated to Hunt Middle School.
In a subsequent update, the fire department said the explosion happened inside the electrical room after firefighters had cut power to the building.
"Explosion occurred in the electrical room where firefighters shut power off to the building," the Tacoma Fire Department wrote on X. Tacoma Public Utilities continued investigating what caused the explosion.
Utility officials later allowed residents to return to all buildings except the 600 building, where crews continued restoring electrical service. The American Red Cross provided assistance to residents displaced from that building.
What's next:
The Tacoma Fire Department said the cause of the explosion remains under investigation.
The Source: FOX News contributed to this report. The information came from the Tacoma Fire Department, which provided incident details and updates on X, including the timeline of the response, evacuation efforts, and confirmation that no injuries were reported. This story was reported from Los Angeles.