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Phantom Fireworks in West Melbourne erupts in flames after vehicle plunges in; driver dies

An out-of-control sport utility vehicle plunged through the front-wall glass of Phantom Fireworks on Monday afternoon, igniting a dangerous, fast-spreading blaze and shutting down U.S. 192 during afternoon rush hour in West Melbourne.

"When I got here, the fireworks were still coming. They were extending many, many feet out," Brevard County Fire Rescue Chief Patrick Voltaire said, briefing media near the smoldering remains of the ruined building after the flames died down.

Voltaire likened the exploding fireworks spraying from the burning building to projectiles fired from a gun: "They were shooting from all different angles," he said.

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An unidentified person inside the SUV was killed, West Melbourne Police Lt. Graig Erenstoft said. Florida Highway Patrol troopers will probe the deadly crash, he said.

"This is an ongoing investigation. Unfortunately, we do have one confirmed deceased individual who was inside the vehicle," Erenstoft said.

About 30 firefighters from various departments converged on Phantom Fireworks about 4:20 p.m. at 4433 W. New Haven Ave., at the intersection of John Rodes Boulevard.

Voltaire said Phantom Fireworks was engulfed in flame by the time crews arrived.

”They were battling fireworks coming out the whole time,” Voltaire said.

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Two employees who were working near the back of the fireworks store fled after the vehicle crashed in and escaped injury, Erenstoft said.

FHP did not release the deceased driver's identity. Based on preliminary evidence, troopers said Monday night that the fatal fiery crash involved two vehicles: the victim's SUV — of undetermined make and model — and a 2006 Toyota Tacoma driven by a 39-year-old West Melbourne woman.

Troopers said the victim's SUV struck the Tacoma at the intersection, sending both vehicles into the Phantom Fireworks parking lot. The unidentified SUV continued driving through the parking lot and collided with the building, igniting fireworks — and engulfing the vehicle in flames.

The unidentified driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The 39-year-old woman was not injured.

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Voltaire said the State Fire Marshal’s Office and firefighters were expected to work overnight Monday amid the charred wreckage at the scene.

By 5:30 p.m., orange flames were still shooting from the front of the building and thick smoke billowed across the highway. Two ladder trucks sprayed water on the structure from elevated positions, and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus crouched on the ground spraying water from the front parking lot.

Firefighters atop two ladder trucks spray water on the burning Phantom Fireworks building about sunset on West New Haven Avenue in West Melbourne.
Firefighters atop two ladder trucks spray water on the burning Phantom Fireworks building about sunset on West New Haven Avenue in West Melbourne.

BCFR, Melbourne, Palm Bay and Four Communities firefighters rushed to the blaze, along with West Melbourne police officers and Brevard County Sheriff's Office deputies.

Law enforcement shut down westbound U.S. 192 traffic near Sam's Club, roughly ¼ mile from the fireworks store, triggering long backups. Eastbound U.S. 192 remained blocked past 9 p.m. Monday, FHP reported.

Erenstoft said police evacuated the surrounding area after the fire broke out in case of explosion.

Pictured: The front of the Phantom Fireworks store smolders amid a Monday afternoon fire in West Melbourne.
Pictured: The front of the Phantom Fireworks store smolders amid a Monday afternoon fire in West Melbourne.

Titusville resident Michael Geddis and Melbourne resident Mary McLaughlin said they were sitting in their car at the U.S. 192-John Rodes Boulevard stoplight when they saw the sport utility vehicle drive into Phantom Fireworks.

"I pulled up, and we both ran out to see if we could help someone. When the fireworks started, we turned. They were shooting as far as that truck there," Geddis said later, pointing at a vehicle in the adjacent Americas Best Value Inn & Suites parking lot.

"It was like a horror show," McLaughlin said.

Rick Neale is the South Brevard Watchdog Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY (for more of his stories, click here.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @RickNeale1

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Firefighters battle blaze at Phantom Fireworks in West Melbourne