Explosion at salvage yard fashion shoot under investigation
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Police and the Ft. Lauderdale Fire Marshal are investigating after an explosion injured two during a fashion shoot at a salvage yard, reports CBS Miami.
The fire department was called to the 19th Street Auto & Truck Parts yard shortly before noon on Tuesday, said Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Asst. Chief Tim Heiser.
"First arriving unit found a car that was smoldering and two victims on scene, one very hysterical and one in extremely critical condition, a male and female," Heiser said.
Relatives identified the man as Helmuth Montoya, who has been a fashion photographer for more than 10 years, according to his Linkedin account. The female victim, whose identity has not yet been released, was inside a vehicle that was inoperable, which has candles set as the photo shoot backdrop, according to police.
Investigators suspect that during the photo shoot gas fumes ignited, causing what's known as a flash explosion.
"The gas expands very quickly. The patient itself can get burned not only from the contact but it's almost like the air around you catches on fire so your whole body would be exposed to that," Heiser said.
Both of the victims were airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital with life threatening injuries.