LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA, Fla. – A quiet Lauderdale-by-the-Sea community remained shaken Monday after news of an explosion, which took place in front of an Italian restaurant, spread.
The blast took place outside of Giannino Restaurant & Café at 218 Commercial Blvd just before midnight on Christmas Eve, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
The explosion was so loud it could be heard for miles.
Some lights were blown out in front of the restaurant and an entrance door was damaged due to the blast.
"It blew this which was very powerful you can see how it just incinerates that," Anthony Lomascolo, who owns the building that houses the restaurant, said.
Deputies said someone placed an explosive device right at the base of the restaurant about 15 minutes after staff left.
"Anyone could have been hurt," Lomascolo said. "They just confirmed that it was a cylinder of 2-3 -inch diameter and 6 inches high."
Moments after the blast the FBI and BSO began to investigate.
The restaurant's owner, Giannino Di Costanzo, who moved from Naples, Italy, two years ago, said he's scared and is considering selling his restaurant.
"I'm scared for my family,” he said. “ I don’t know if tomorrow I put the restaurant on the market or continue the business, I don't know. We don’t have enemies in this country, no more friends but no enemy."
Anyone with information about the blast is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.