Sunny Isles Beach officials issue stop work citation after high-rise explosion

6 hurt after Friday's explosion at Chateau Beach Residences

SUNNY ISLES BEACH, Fla. ā€“ The Sunny Isles Beach Building Department issued a stop work citation at the Chateau Beach Residences after Friday's explosion.

According to the citation issued Monday, "the purging of (the) gas piping system was not performed in compliance with the 2010 fuel gas code."

The citation also states that the "fuel gas was vented into a confined space with sources of ignition. Precautions were not taken to safely purge gas piping."

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said Monday that the gas leak at the high-rise building, 17475 Collins Ave., was sparked by an unknown ignition source.

Debris from the blast injured guests at the adjacent Travelodge Monaco Beach Resort. That hotel remained closed Monday, and all guests were moved to another hotel a few block north.

Six people were hurt in the incident, including two firefighters who were helping with the rescue effort.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration reported no violations against the construction company working in the building.

A letter from city building official Christopher J. Russo to the construction company said that the Chateau Beach Residences has been deemed unsafe.

"The building shall not be occupied by anyone except for the general contractor, its employees, its agents and designated owner representatives," the letter said.

Coastal Construction also released a statement about Friday's explosion.

"The city of Sunny Isles Beach Building Department has revoked the temporary certificate of occupancy (TCO) for the Chateau Beach Residences until reconstruction of the damaged areas is completed, as is to be expected in situations such as this," Coastal Construction said Tuesday afternoon. "The explosion on October 2 caused damage to the building's boiler room, as well as water damage to a number of the units on the upper floors as well as the elevators serving those units."

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Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.