1 dead in gas station explosion

[Photo courtesy of Tampa Fire Rescue Capt. Bill Wade]
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TAMPA -- An explosion at a Citgo gas station left one man dead early this morning, Tampa Fire Rescue officials said.

Witness said the man was screaming as he burned to death inside the service bay of the station.

"He was engulfed," said eyewitness Alonzo Brown. "That's something you never want to see or hear again."

Police identified him later in the day as Farid IA Karakra, 22, of New Tampa.

911 callers reported that an automobile service bay at the Citgo gas station at 901 W Busch Blvd. had caught fire just after midnight. The building sits about 20 feet from the gas pumps.

Brown and Eric Frantz were just arriving for a shift at Nicola's Donuts across the street. They said they heard a powerful explosion and ran across Busch to assist. Frantz, 37, said he tore through layers of duct tape to reach the station's emergency shut-off button.

Both men found the west end of the station, a car service area, ravaged by flames.

"It blew the doors out and the roof off," Frantz said.

Inside, a man lying on the ground had caught fire. He was screaming but unresponsive to their calls, Brown said.

The pair said they tried to help him, but it was too hot and probably too late.

About the same time, Master Patrol Officer Ed Croissant and Cpl. Jim Thompson with Tampa police arrived. The two officers tried to enter the garage, but they, too, were stifled by the intense heat.

The victim was pulled out of the garage by a Tampa Fire Rescue crew minutes later, but Tampa Fire Rescue spokesman Bill Wade said he was already dead. No other injuries were reported.

About 29 firefighters from across the area had the blaze under control in about 30 minutes, Wade said. Damage estimates were not immediately available. Wade said two cars, one parked inside the garage and another outside, were heavily damaged.

The intersection of Busch Boulevard and North Boulevard was closed for several hours, but the roads have since reopened to traffic.

An arson task force comprised of the Tampa Fire Marshal's Office, the state Fire Marshal's Office and Tampa police are still working to find out what caused the fire and "determine if there's anything suspicious or if it was accidental," Tampa police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said. A police bomb squad unit is also on the scene.

The station had been closed for the night. Officials haven't said why the man was inside, though he reportedly is known to the station's owners. Frantz said it was common for mechanics at the shop to arrive early and stay late.

- Casey Cora, Times staff writer

Comments

[ernest]

thats crazy

im really sorry to hear that.thats awful.

So sad for him.

[El Lepero]

That is what happens when you patronize a Chavez of Venezuela Terrorist Gasoline Station. Folks, stay away from CITCO, it is Venezuelan oil.

[Justin]

El Lepero, you're down syndrome. Venezuela has nothing to gain from damaging this gas station, and it's spelled CITGO. It's most likely due to a build up of oily rags and gas fumes.

[ThePatriot]

What isn't mentioned here is the FBI and ATF is investigating... what isn't mentioned is the "victim" is a recent immigrant from palestine... the victim is muslim... Why is CAIR (the Council on American/Islamic relations - an unindicted co-conspirator on terror charges) showing such an interest in this event? The gas pumps did not explode, the shop did, violently. Doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out what is going on here. I suspect you will not hear anything more about this event and it will be kept hush-hush by the media and government.

[layla]

that's really sad thatthat happaned. he was a nice guy and was excited about getting married in new york in may. things like this shouldn't be happening and no one deserves to die like that. no matter what your color,race,or sex is

[Laura Connock]

Good job Eric! Hope you didn't burn the donuts!

Signed,

Your cousin Laura up here in freezing Cincinnati!