Three firefighters were injured Wednesday afternoon when a home exploded shortly after crews arrived to battle a fire in Greenbank.
The explosion happened after a 911 caller reported a house fire on Smuggler’s Cove Road near Lagoon Point at about 2:45 p.m., according to Central Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue.
The injured firefighters include two fire chiefs and one firefighter from Central Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue and South Whidbey Fire/EMS, according to the agency.
Two firefighters were transported to Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, while a third was taken to Island Hospital with blast-related injuries, according to Central Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue. All three were reported to be in stable condition.
Officials said two civilians may also have been injured in the incident. Both reportedly transported themselves to a hospital before emergency responders could evaluate them, fire officials said.
The explosion destroyed the home where the fire originated, according to the agency. A neighboring house also caught fire and was destroyed, while a third home sustained damage from the blast.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation by the Region 3 Arson Task Force and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Firefighters and emergency personnel from multiple agencies responded to the scene, including Central Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue, South Whidbey Fire/EMS, North Whidbey Fire and Rescue, Navy Region Northwest, and several law enforcement agencies.
