See Challenger explosion.


Your contention that those two are separate vehicles doesn't hold water, because not only are the crew the same, but also the most insignificant of marks(stuff like burns, scratches, etc.) Furthermore, are you trying to tell me that the crew of the shuttles didn't really die, and all of this is a fake? Tell that to their families, then we'll talk.
EDIT: Besides, nobody contends that the shuttle has fuel during the reentry phase, its too dangerous. They dump the fuel tanks, you know that, you've seen em. The red fuel tank and white boosters.