LAUDERHILL, FLA. (WSVN) - Officials busted a warehouse that was selling illegal fireworks for the Fourth of July weekend, Thursday.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said they got a tip about an illegal operation at a warehouse along Northwest 16th Street and 38th Avenue in Lauderhill. When they arrived, Fire Rescue officials said, they found between 2,500 and 3,000 pounds of fireworks products.
“It’s just an extremely dangerous atmosphere in there,” Lauderhill Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Jeffrey Levy said. “Boxes and boxes of illegal fireworks.”
Officials said they found roman candles, mortars, bottle rockets and more in the warehouse. Prices on the boxes ranged from $20 to $500.
“Professional and non-professional illegal fireworks,” Levy said.
Officials said the space is usually used as an auto shop, which makes keeping fireworks inside even more dangerous.
“There’s a huge potential. You’re working around gas motors that give off sparks,” Levy said. “So it’s a very hazardous environment.”
The Fire Marshall had the power at the property turned off, and the building’s tenant, Bruce McFadden, was cited and sent home.
Officials are working on removing the fireworks from the property.
“It’s Fourth of July coming up,” Levy said. “We want to get all this off the street so its out of the hands off the people that are going to hurt themselves.”
Fire officials said neighboring tenants won’t be able to return until all of the fireworks are removed Friday.
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