Caught on camera: Explosion in hotel parking lot in Clewiston

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There was an explosion in the parking lot of a Holiday Inn in Clewiston on Wednesday evening.

According to the Clewiston Police Department, a man had fire suppression equipment exploded in the back of his truck while he was working out of it.

The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office said the explosion happened around 5:30 p.m. in the Holiday Inn Express parking lot off West Sugarland Highway in Clewiston.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the State Fire Marshall responded to the scene.

During the investigation, a small amount of undetected explosives were discovered, and the Collier County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad responded to assist with the disposal of the explosives.

A guest staying at the hotel told WINK News reporter Maddie Herron he heard a loud boom and then saw the man rush into the lobby covered in burns and blood, begging for help.

“Right after I checked in, I was organizing my things, and I heard an explosion. As I walked out into the hall, I saw a gentleman who was coming through the doors. He was shirtless, bleeding from his face, bleeding, particularly profusely from his right hand, yelling, ‘Call 911! call 911,” the hotel guest said. “We kept him calm in the lobby as best we could, and then the ambulance showed up. They put him in the ambulance and took him to the hospital.”

The man sustained injuries and has been transported for medical care. The CPD has not yet received an update on his condition, though the witness said he saw the man walking and talking despite his injuries.

The area from San Luis to Berner Road and south to Ventura to Sagamore will temporarily be closed while crews dispose of the undetonated devices.

The explosives have been safely detonated, and the roads will reopen shortly.

Stay tuned to WINKNews.com, WINK News App, streaming, and on-air for any new developments on this story.

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