A still exploded Friday morning at Storm Distillery in downtown Inverness, sparking a massive fire that injured three people and forced the temporary closure of the courthouse square.
The blast at the distillery, located on North Apopka Ave. near Courthouse Square, was powerful enough to be heard more than a mile away. It occurred shortly after 10:30 and quickly spread to the attached Hometown Deli. Debris from the still was scattered outside the building. 
Three people were hospitalized, one with serious injuries. Details on their conditions and identities were not immediately released.
Inverness Fire Department, Citrus County Fire Rescue, and the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene. Crews contained the fire and secured the area, with all downtown roads shut down for several hours.
The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office is leading the investigation into the cause of the explosion and fire. No further details have been released.
The incident remains under active investigation.
