SpaceX rocket launch causes massive fire at state park

Last week’s explosive SpaceX rocket launch caused a multiacre fire in a neighboring state park and threw concrete and steel debris thousands of feet. 

Two days after the unmanned rocket took off and detonated April 20, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff finally could access the site. According to staff, the damage was evident. 

According to the USFWS, a 385-acre surrounding area was littered with debris from the launch. Spectators who watched the launch from Port Isabel, Texas, 10 miles away from the launch, saw some of the debris. City Manager John Sandoval told The Associated Press that concrete particles from the launch shattered a local business’ window. 

The fire was at Boca Chica State Park in Brownsville. 

USFWS officials said they found no dead wildlife at the site of the launch.  

“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is in communication with SpaceX and other partner agencies and organizations to provide on-the-ground guidance to minimize further impacts and reduce long-term damages to natural resources,” the agency said in a statement. 

Last week’s rocket launch was supposed to take the ship on a quick trip around the planet before landing in the Pacific Ocean. However, a malfunction in one of the engines caused the rocket to lose altitude, initiating an intentional self-destruct.