Fire Causes Loud Explosions, 35 Foot Flames

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — Residents in the vicinity of Clove Road and Malbone Street were startled and scared when a series of explosions began going off at around 3:00pm today. Some thought it was gun shots, while others were so scared when the walls of their homes began shaking, they called 911.

More pictures in the Extended Article!

Police and Fire Department arrived on scene within seconds and among the confusion and the large gathering of curious bystanders formed in the area, but soon determined that it was a sizable rubbish fire in the back of the Associated Supermarket, on Clove Road.

What started the fire is suspicious and fire marshals were called to determine what started it, which residents said that it was a fire in a barrel that workers from the nearby antique shop started. Witnesses said that flames were visible and burning as high as 35 feet, setting the rear wall of the supermarket aflame as well.

The explosions coming from the fire were to blame on aerosol and compressed cans that were in the pile, and due to the extreme heat the expanded and exploded sending can flying high and far, putting bystanders at risk, which prompted police to keep all the curious onlookers at a safe distance.

After putting the fire out, which took close to a half hour, the entire area was littered with disfigured cans.

B”H there was no injuries in the incident.