Report On Sunny Isles Blast Gives Detailed Look Into Damage
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SUNNY ISLES BEACH (CBSMiami) – The final report has been released on the explosion at a Sunny Isles Beach high-rise that injured several people.
In the report released by the Sunny Isles Beach Building Inspector, the city maintains the builder, Coastal Construction made an error in how it flushed the gas lines which helped cause the explosion that sent seven people to the hospital and shut down traffic in the city for hours.
The report gives a more detailed look at the damage caused by the blast in the boiler room of the nearly completed Chateau luxury high-rise.
"Accidents happen. We've got to be careful. We've got to make sure we're doing things properly," said Sunny Isles Beach Mayor Bud Scholl.
He was careful not to lay the blame too thickly on Coastal Construction, for the explosion but the building department's final report indicates the company is to blame for the explosion. Inspectors found the plumber did not flush the gas lines properly.
Related: Sunny Isles Mayor Responds To Devastating Building Explosion
The State Fire Marshall has still not determined what sparked that built up gas, but the mayor says the ignition source is only one part of the problem.
CBS4's Natalia Zea asked, "So whatever the origin of the blast, if the gas lines had been flushed properly there could have been no blast?"
"That's correct, and in our estimation the improper purging of the gas lines, caused the gas buildup in the building which ultimately ignited," said Scholl.
During the course of the city's investigation, inspectors found Coastal Construction made another mistake. The city alleges they moved the gas meter and did not have the city inspect it. It's not clear whether that had anything to do with the explosion.
The mayor said the city is working on disaster plans and a bridge project to ease traffic flow during times like these.
While Coastal Construction is not facing fines for the mistake, they have a lot of work and a long process ahead of them to finally open their doors.
Coastal Construction has not released a statement on the newly released report, because they need time to examine it but previously they pointed out their sub-contractor who did the work on the high-rise is certified and experienced.
The issue and the response to it is slated to be discussed at the City Commission meeting on Thursday.
