A man fleeing from police crashed into a Chevron gas station Thursday evening, causing an explosion that damaged his car as well as two other vehicles.

Davie police were trying to stop Carlos Puente, 46, for a tag not registered to his car at about 5:45 p.m. near Oakes Road, authorities said. But Puente fled and slammed into the gas station in the 4700 block of South State Road 7, said police spokesman Sgt. Christopher Chastain.

Puente, driving a white Mustang, slammed into a gas pump, causing the explosion that ruined his car and two Toyotas.

There were no injuries reported, Chastain said.

After the collision, Puente ran from his car and hid in nearby bushes, but was found and arrested, Chastain said.

Rolando Ramos, of Davie, said he was working at the gas station's car wash when he heard the Mustang screech down State Road 7 before crashing into the gas station.

"It was atomic. It was a big scare," Ramos said.

As the flames engulfed the cars, Ramos, along with other gas station employees, ran toward a nearby McDonald's. After all, Ramos said, "It's a gas station. It's very dangerous."

Sue Caspanello, of Davie, lives in a trailer next to the gas station. Caspanello said she was asleep in her bedroom when she heard a loud "boom." Her first thought, she said, was that her home was on fire.

"It shook my trailer," she said.

When Caspanello went outside to investigate the source of the explosion, she saw the gas station engulfed in flames and smoke.

On Thursday night, the gas station was surrounded by yellow caution tape as the three partially charred cars remained near the pumps. An official on scene photographed the wreckage.

Puente will be charged with driving with a suspended license, Chastain said. Other charges are pending.

Chastain said Puente is on probation, but did not know for what offense.

In 2008 and 2009, Puente was charged with driving under the influence, Broward County records show, and he was charged with driving with a suspended license in 2009.

"It's unfortunate that he disobeyed the officer," Chastain said.