‘I’m sure it’s the fireworks’: Neighbor recounts Whidbey Island home explosion

Federal investigators are examining whether fireworks played a role in a devastating explosion that destroyed multiple homes on Whidbey Island, as residents recount the terrifying moments surrounding the blast.

The explosion leveled a home in the Greenbank area and sent shockwaves through the surrounding neighborhood, destroying a neighboring house and damaging a third, according to Central Whidbey Island Fire & Rescue.

Federal agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives launched their investigation Thursday morning after fire officials announced there was “unexploded ordinance” still at the scene.

Among those affected was Tanya, whose home, which is right next door, caught fire. When asked about a potential cause, she didn’t hesitate and told KIRO Newsradio, “Oh, I’m sure it’s the fireworks.”

Large amount of fireworks delivered to the Whidbey Island home

No official cause for the explosion has been released, and federal agents launched their own investigation. Tanya said her neighbor has been receiving large deliveries of fireworks for the last year.

“He bought a truckload of fireworks last year, brought it in over Deception Pass in a semi-truck, and he wanted to offload it on our property, and we said no,” Tanya explained. “There was a pallet in the middle of the street… I guess yesterday he had, I think, three or four truckloads delivered.”

The force of the explosion completely destroyed the home where investigators are focusing their efforts. A second home caught fire and was also destroyed. A third home also caught fire. Investigators spent hours examining the debris field as residents struggled to process the destruction left behind.

Tanya said she was driving home to let her dogs out and saw that her home was on fire.

“We have five dogs in the house,” Tanya told KIRO Newsradio. “They were actually able to save our dogs, so our dogs are at the vet right now being checked for their breathing to make sure that they are OK.”

Tanya also said she still is not allowed to return to her home, where she helps run a food pantry for people in need.

“We’re devastated by this,” Tanya said. “We can’t get back into our home. You were saying about the pantry, we just had a flood on Mother’s Day. We have a lot going on right now, and this is just icing on it.”

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