Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
An explosion at a Tybee Island condominium building Friday evening ignited a large fire and destroyed at least one vehicle.
Firefighters from Tybee Island Fire and Southside Fire/EMS responded soon after the blaze erupted around 5:30 p.m. at the four-story complex on Silver Avenue, between the beach and Butler Avenue on the south end of the island.
Although several people were inside the structure when the fire started, everyone was able to escape without injury, said Tybee Island Mayor Jason Buelterman.
From the condo he rented for his vacation across the street, Paul Vasser, of Cornelia, saw the fire erupt after he heard the initial explosion.
“The couch I was sitting on in the condo directly across the street just shook when something in the garage down there exploded,” he said. “It blew the garage door into the street.”
After rushing to a window Vasser saw several people stuck inside the building. With the help of some Good Samaritans, fire personnel, and a group of Tybee Island Ocean Rescue lifeguards who ran up from the beach the people — including several children — were removed from the burning building.
For hours after the fire began, crews worked at the scene to limit the fire to one structure, put it out and ensure the area was safe.
Exactly what caused the explosion and fire was not known Friday night, Buelterman said.
“This was a pretty significant fire,” the mayor said. “Fortunately we’ve confirmed everyone was able to get out safely. Now we’re just making sure it’s only in the one unit and making sure we get it all out.”
FBI, CrimeStoppers ask help identifying bank robbery suspects
The FBI and CrimeStoppers are asking for help identifying two suspects in Wednesday Coastal Georgia bank robberies.
The first suspect robbed the Savannah Bank at 409 Waters Avenue in Savannah about 9:45 a.m. that day. He is described as black male around 25 to 30 years old with a medium complexion, said CrimeStopers spokeswoman Catherine Neal. He was wearing a black v-neck shirt, blue shoes and a straw hat at the time of the robbery. Surveillance tape outside the bank captured photos of him just before the robbery.
The second suspect is accused of robbing The Heritage Bank on Butler Street in Midway about 3:20 p.m. that same day. Neal said he is described as a dark-skinned black male between 25 and 35 years old. He was wearing a black v-neck shirt and blue and white athletic shoes. A gray Crown Victoria was seen leaving the area of the robbery at a high rate of speed.
A reward of up to $2,500 is being offered for information leading to an arrest in these cases, Neal said. All information provided to CrimeStoppers is anonymous and can be reported 24 hours a day 7 days a week at 912-234-2020 or on the web at www.SavannahChathamCrimeStoppers.org (using the report anonymously link) or by texting CRIMES (274637) and using the keyword CSTOP2020 before the message content.
Compiled by Corey Dickstein
