An auto repair shop owner in Lauderhill was busted Thursday afternoon for storing hundreds of illegal fireworks in the warehouse where he runs his business.
Authorities estimate there are 2,500 to 3,000 pounds of illegal fireworks inside the warehouse space in the 3700 block of Northwest 16th Street.
“There’s everything from two-inch mortars all the way down to Roman candles, bottle rockets, firecrackers…anything that’s illegal in the state of Florida is in that warehouse,” said Lauderhill Fire-Rescue Division Chief Jeff Levy.
The warehouse space in the 3700 block of Northwest 16th Street contained all sorts of items from bottle rockets to Roman candles and firecrackers, officials said.
Fireworks that are illegal in Florida are any type that “goes up in the air and explode,” Levy said.
The city’s code enforcement department was tipped off about someone selling fireworks out of one of the warehouse bays, Levy said. When firefighters arrived, they found “boxes and boxes” of fireworks in the warehouse, Levy said.
Lauderhill detectives were on the scene questioned Bruce McFadden, owner of McFadden Auto Sales, officials said.
A man wearing a white T-shirt and shorts was seen leaning on a police car next to an officer, filling out a form Thursday afternoon. Earlier, he had told reporters he had nothing to do with the incident and later declined to answer questions.
“The individual denied that he was selling anything,” Levy said. The man was given a notice to appear in court, Levy said.
Next to the fireworks, authorities noticed gasoline, oil and a number of cars inside the warehouse, Levy said.
“It’s a very hazardous environment,” Levy said. “You’re working around gas motors that give off sparks and, as we know, fireworks are explosive. So any spark could have set something off in there.”
Neighboring businesses were evacuated and authorities shut off the power in the building.
Officers were to be guarding the warehouse throughout the night until a disposal company came Friday to get rid of the fireworks.
Levy said the fire department did a sweep of businesses in the city Thursday, but the tip from this bust came up afterward.
“We’re thankful that we found it,” he said. “The Fourth of July coming up and we want to get all of this off the street so it’s out of the hands of the people that are going to hurt themselves.”
He added: “I’ve seen a lot of people who have injured themselves with explosive fireworks. It’s a dangerous product if it’s not used properly…leave it to the professionals.”
rpiccardo@sunsentinel.com, 954-356-4544 or Twitter @rebecapiccardo
