Volatile Mixture

Jersey City, New Jersey, July 17, 2007:

A man who was apparently trying to make fireworks touched off an explosion in his garage/workshop and set his house aflame Sunday, authorities said. No one was hurt.

The man behind the accident is local politician and known tinkerer Ron -- a man supposedly with an engineering degree.

Flash powder, used in fireworks, was found among chemicals in the garage, said Mike Campbell, a spokesman for the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

A side of the attached garage was gutted, but the house didn't appear to be badly damaged.

"It just appears he may have been wanting to make his own homemade fireworks," Campbell said. "This is what happens when you do that."

Dangerous chemicals were stored in the garage and in a shed behind the house, said Capt. Chris Schaff, a spokesman for the Jersey City Fire and Rescue Department. Local officials asked the ATF and FBI to assist because of the nature of the chemicals.

Two adults, three ferrets, and a musk ox had to evacuate the home. Authorities were interviewing Ron Monday evening, and no charges had been brought. None are expected.

Posted by Bittle at July 17, 2007 07:20 AM