On Friday afternoon, a violent explosion shattered a residence in the 100 block of Carmelite Street, Port St. Lucie. The St. Lucie County Fire District received the first call at 1:24 p.m. after neighbors reported a fire at the home.
What happened
According to witnesses, the homeowner was cooking when a grease fire ignited in the garage, where a propane tank was stored. The fire caused the tank to rupture, and the resulting blast propelled the tank across the street into a neighboring garage.
“I heard a huge explosion. At first I thought maybe it was a transformer, but it was much, much louder than that,” said Rob Roadman, a nearby resident who saw smoke billowing from the yard. Marina Cheong, who lives a few doors down, described running toward the house to assist before the blast sent debris flying everywhere.
Immediate response
Firefighters arrived quickly and contained the blaze, preventing it from spreading to adjacent homes. The homeowner, a father of two, was briefly taken to a local hospital for observation but was released a few hours later. He returned to the property with family members to assess the damage.
“I asked the dad if he was OK, and he goes, ‘Yeah.’ But you could tell he wasn’t. He was shaken. Of course. Who wouldn’t be?” Roadman recalled.
Extent of the damage
The explosion destroyed almost everything inside the house. The family reported that very little could be salvaged from the wreckage. Despite the loss of furniture, appliances, and personal belongings, all four members escaped without life‑threatening injuries.
Community rally
Neighbors and local church members have already begun organizing assistance. A family member told WPBF 25 News that they feel “lucky that nobody was seriously injured” and emphasized the strength of their community and church in helping them persevere.
Local volunteers are collecting donations of clothing, food, and household items, while the church plans a fundraiser to aid with rebuilding costs. The incident underscores the close‑knit nature of Port St. Lucie neighborhoods, where residents quickly come together in times of crisis.
Safety reminder
Officials remind homeowners to store propane tanks safely and keep flammable materials away from cooking areas. The St. Lucie County Fire District encourages residents to review fire‑safety guidelines and ensure smoke detectors are functional.
Authorities continue to investigate the exact cause of the grease fire, but the rapid response of emergency services and the outpouring of community support have helped the family begin the long process of recovery.
Original reporting: WPBF (Treasure Coast / Hearst) — read the source article.
