EUSTIS, Fla. — A significant explosion occurred Thursday morning at a jewelry shop in Eustis, critically injuring a woman and her service dog. The blast ripped through the building shortly after workers had addressed gas line issues nearby.
Fire officials indicated that the explosion took place around 11 a.m. at the store known as “Gemstones Jewelry Rocks,” located on South Eustis Street. Despite the proximity to a gas leak, city officials confirmed that the jewelry store itself was not connected to any gas service at the time of the incident.
Witnesses described the terrifying moment when a fireball surged through the roof of the establishment. One neighbor, Jennifer Doyle, recounted seeing flames and feeling her apartment shake. She rushed outside and saw a woman, visibly shaken, emerging from the burning structure. “She was standing there in a daze,” Doyle said, clearly affected by the sight of the woman, who had sustained severe injuries.
The critically injured woman was quickly transported to a local hospital for treatment, while her service dog also suffered various injuries, including burns around its muzzle and paws. The dog has been treated and received care but has not sustained any life-threatening injuries.
Doyle expressed frustration over the incident, mentioning that she had alerted authorities about a gas smell weeks before the explosion. “I called and complained of a smell of gas,” she said, noting that she was told to evacuate her apartment. However, she received no follow-up regarding any inspections or actions taken.
Eustis Fire Chief Michael Swanson reported that his team was investigating the cause of the explosion, which remains unclear. “This case is particularly complicated since we know the business did not have gas service,” Swanson stated. Fire crews had initially responded to the area about an hour and a half before the explosion after reports of a gas leak.
As inquiries continue, the city and state officials are reviewing evidence from the scene to determine the precise circumstances surrounding the incident. The Florida State Fire Marshal’s office is actively engaged in the investigation, gathering samples as part of the process.
So far, no updates on the woman’s or the dog’s condition have been issued. Family members have opted not to provide details on her recovery. Local authorities are expected to release more information as the investigation progresses.