Overview
- A home near Lagoon Point on Whidbey Island exploded after firefighters arrived, destroying the residence and damaging at least two nearby houses in the Greenbank area on Wednesday.
- Investigators have determined the blast was caused by hundreds of pounds of fireworks stored inside the house and say preliminary accounts point to someone smoking near the cache as the likely ignition source.
- Five people were hurt in the incident: three firefighters, including two fire chiefs, were taken to hospitals and are in stable condition, and two civilians reportedly self-transported for treatment.
- The explosion sent fireworks and debris through the neighborhood, forced evacuations, displaced at least one family, and prompted local GoFundMe campaigns for injured responders and affected residents.
- The Region 3 Arson Task Force and the ATF are leading an active investigation, the county sheriff reports no arrests so far, and officials warn the case underscores public safety risks from large, unsecured fireworks stockpiles.