Boca Raton fire and rescue Lt. Frank Montilli told CNN the explosion occurred shortly after 9 a.m. EDT in hangar 3, which has been closed off as emergency crews work to contain a fuel leak.

"At this point, we can't get investigators in to determine the cause of the explosion because a Lear jet is leaking fuel, and we want to prevent the possibility of a secondary explosion," Montilli said.

He said the containment process under was considered to be routine.

A man who did not want to be identified told CNN that he was working on his own plane in front of the hanger when the blast occurred.

"There was a tremendous explosion, but there was no fire," he said.

Airport spokeswoman Diane Gullo told CNN that the explosion and containment process at the hangar next to the terminal at the privately-owned airport, which is home more than 200 corporate- and individually owned planes was not affecting operations.

"The airport is still open. We still have planes coming and going," said Gullo.

She said the man who was killed worked for the company that maintains the airport's planes.

Boca Raton is located just north of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

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