Ruptured Gas Line Sparks Miami-Dade Explosions

Feb. 14, 2006
The two-alarm fire initiated at a dry cleaners

If you left your clothes at Mr. Alex's Dry Cleaners on Miller Road, it may be time to buy a new wardrobe.

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A two-alarm fire burned inside the store for more than two hours Monday morning.

Witnesses reported seeing smoke and flames and hearing explosions.

"We didn't know what was going on. We looked inside and it was really up in flames," said witness Roberto Rodriguez. "I was having my coffee like I do every morning and we heard the explosion."

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews at the scene said they believe a ruptured gas line started the blaze and caused the explosions.

"When they arrived they saw that the dry cleaners had some smoke coming out of it," said Captain Al Cruz. "Once they entered, they saw that there was a gas-spread fire in the rear of the occupancy."

Crews began using axes to vent the roof of the business, but they were waiting for the gas company to find the source of the leak and shut off the valve that ruptured.

Meanwhile, business owners in the strip mall on Miller Road near Southwest 93rd Avenue waited nervously.

"When I first heard I just panicked," said Neil Cobo, who owns a pool supply business near Mr. Alex's. "I said, 'Oh my God, that's all I need at this point.' But hopefully it didn't affect my business."

No injuries were reported.

Copyright 2006 by NBC6.net. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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