Dryer blamed for blaze, explosions

CLEARWATER - Fire investigators say a dryer sparked a blaze that exploded two oxygen tanks and caused what firefighters said was a "wall of fire."

It happened at a duplex at 1104 Grove Street in Clearwater around 11:45 a.m.

More than 20 units responded to what turned into a two-alarm blaze.

One resident, 70-year-old Arlene Fisher, was home at the time and made it out safely with her two dogs.

The resident on the other side was not home.

The two explosions were so loud they were heard in buildings in downtown Clearwater.

Investigators believe a dryer on the left side of the duplex was the cause of the fire, and the explosions were caused by the two oxygen tanks nearby. First responders said the exposions caused a "ball of fire."

It took fire crews about an hour to get the blaze under control.