INVERNESS, Fla. — The owner of Storm Distillery in downtown Inverness has died days after a fire and explosion at his business.
Storm Distillery shared the news on Tuesday in a message posted to social media. The post said owner David Mohr passed away after the incident.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of our beloved David Mohr, owner of Storm Distillery,” the post reads. “As many of you know, David was involved in a recent accident, and despite the best efforts of medical professionals, he has peacefully passed away.”
According to a Citrus County Sheriff's Office report, three people, including Mohr, were injured in the explosion on April 17 at the distillery along North Apopka Avenue.
Deputies say the blast sent debris into the street and damaged the front of the building. Two people who were walking nearby were hurt. They were later released from the hospital. Mohr was the only person inside at the time. He suffered severe burn injuries.
WATCH: Owner of Storm Distillery dies from injuries in explosion, fire: Storm Distillery
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation. The State Fire Marshal and local law enforcement returned to the scene Tuesday as part of that investigation. However, according to the sheriff's office report, the cause appears accidental.
Meanwhile, a memorial has formed outside the distillery. A large heart is painted on the plywood that covers the building. Messages fill the boards. Flowers have been placed below in Mohr’s honor.
Family friends have started a fundraiser to help support Mohr’s family. A GoFundMe page has already raised thousands of dollars as members of the community continue to give.
The GoFundMe has been started to help the family and can be found here.
Tampa Bay 28 reporter Chad Mills spoke with Kara Schulte, a family friend who started the GoFundMe and described Mohr as someone who brought people together and created a welcoming space in downtown Inverness.
“I believe that’s going to be a tough one, and I believe that there will just always be a hole in our hearts in the community with the loss of David," she said.
“The funds for the family I’m sure are going to be a godsend. I can only imagine the medical expenses that they are going to be having to deal with," Schulte continued. "Of course, daily life does not stop, so there’s just going to be so many things that the family has to deal with. Finances is not something that we want to burden them with. We want to be able to help out in any way that we can.”
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