An explosion in Rockledge blew out a car and prompted the evacuation of a dozen homes Wednesday morning, police said.
For the car's owner, it was a close call.
- Authorities investigating blown-out car in Rockledge
- Reports of loud explosion came in just before 10 a.m.
- 4-door vehicle is now covered in plastic
- Multiple agencies, including the FBI, at the scene
It happened in the 11-hundred block of Groves Dr in the Marlin Manor neighborhood just before 10 a.m.
We spoke to the man who owns the car. He said he was just minutes away from leaving the house and getting into that car and heard the explosion just feet away from his front door.
"I looked out the window, saw my car had exploded," said Edward Smith Jr.
Smith said us he was in the shower when he heard what sounded like an explosion in his front yard.
"I was getting out of the shower, I was getting ready to leave. I'm glad it happened before, because that was enough to kill me," said Smith.
Rockledge police say officers arrived and found a 1998 Lincoln Town Car in front of a home with its windows blown out, and shattered glass on the road and yard.
Detectives quickly called in the Brevard Sheriff's Office Bomb Squad and evacuated around a dozen homes.
Methodically the team deployed their robot to survey the area in and around the damaged car.
Not long after, fully suited members of the squad came in and poured over the vehicle for evidence.
Some four hours later, the area was deemed safe, and investigators scoured the yard and roadway for evidence.
For now, they are still trying to figure out what happened.
"We still don't have a known cause as to what occurred, but we are a little bit concerned about the damage to the vehicle," said Lt. Donna Seyferth of the Rockledge Police Dept.
For Smith, the shattered glass in his front yard is a reminder of how close he came to being hurt. He said he believes he knows who is responsible.
"I'm hoping that they get them," he said.
Rockledge Police said the car was taken in for further examination.