Cause of explosion at Palm Beach condo unclear

Damage after explosion at the Sun and Surf condo. (Credit: Palm Beach Daily News)
Damage after explosion at the Sun and Surf condo. (Credit: Palm Beach Daily News)

Town officials are uncertain what caused an explosion at a condominium in Palm Beach, which damaged about 20 cars but caused no injuries.

The predawn explosion happened last Thursday inside an electrical vault below a parking garage at the Sun and Surf condominium in Palm Beach.

The blast damaged a manhole and propelled its cover and bits of brick paving into the air. It also forced an evacuation of the Sun and Surf condo.

Nearly 1,400 residences and businesses near the condo at 130 Sunrise Avenue lost power, some for as long as 14 hours, as a result of the explosion.

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Florida Power & Light spokesman Bill Orlove told the Palm Beach Daily News that almost 1,400 customers lost power initially and the utility restored power within six hours for all but 45 of the customers.

Palm Beach Fire-Rescue Battalion Chief Sean Baker said an electrical fire possibly caused the explosion but he was uncertain whether gas lines were a factor.

Town officials will officially declare the cause after Florida Power & Light finishes its investigation. [Palm Beach Daily News] — Mike Seemuth