Salvage Yard Explosion Under Investigation

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FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - An explosion at a Ft. Lauderdale salvage yard sent two people to the hospital with severe burns.

Ft. Lauderdale Fire Rescue was called to the 19th Street Auto & Truck Parts yard shortly before noon on Tuesday.

"First arriving unit found a car that was smoldering and two victims on scene, one very hysterical and one in extremely critical condition a male and female,"  said Asst. Chief Tim Heiser with Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue.

Relatives identified the man as Helmut Montoya -- a fashion photographer for more than 10 years, according to his Linkedin account.

On Tuesday, something went terribly wrong at the auto salvage yard on NW 27th Avenue and 19th Street.

Witnesses said the woman was inside the car.  Investigators said they were there for a photo shoot with candles inside a car.

A worker at the salvage yard argues that there was no explosion.

CLICK HERE to watch Oralia Ortega's report. 

"There was absolutely no explosion. Whatever stuff that is on the news is bull [expletive]," said the workers.

CBS4's Ted Scouten asked, "How did the fire start?"

The worker responded," My friend, I don't know."

Investigators report different information saying gas fumes ignited.  They say the two may have been burned from a flash explosion.

"The gas expands very quickly.  The patient itself can get burned not only from the contact but it's almost like the air around you catches on fire so your whole body would be exposed to that,"said Heiser.

Both of the victims were airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital with life threatening injuries.

The cause of the explosion is under investigation. Investigators were seen carrying bags of evidence from the scene, including a large red bag.