Explosion At Miami Gas Station
MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Fire officials are investigating an explosion at a Miami gas station Friday afternoon.
CBS4's Maggie Newland said it all happened at Flagler Street and 71st Ave.
Cell phone video captured the fierce flames and billowing smoke after an explosion in a minivan at the gas station.
The force of the blast peeled back the roof of the van and sent glass, the roof rack and windshield flying clear across the street.
"You see everyone running, people from the restaruant running away," said witness Peter Gonzalez.
Click here to WATCH CBS4's Maggie Newland's report
The fire could be seen all over the neighborhood.
Firefighters used the emergency shut off to close down the gas pumps so the fire wouldn't spread and put out the fire in about 15 minutes then investigators realized what may have caused the explosion.
"It appears it's a minivan that has a pump operation inside it for siphoning gas out from what we can make out right now. It looks like about 150 gallon tank inside this minivan," said Lt. Ignatius Carroll of Miami Fire.
Firefighters said it's an illegal operation and the person who was with the van managed to get away.
Police said Onelio Castro, 46, is in custody and charges are pending against him.
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