Explosive materials found at Buena, N.J. home that exploded, killing 4
BUENA, N.J. (CBS) -- Explosive materials that could be used for homemade fireworks were found on the property and inside a vehicle at the Buena, New Jersey, home that exploded on Aug. 3, killing a 3-year-old girl and her 2-year-old brother, along with their 73-year-old great uncle and a 52-year-old man, police said.
Franklin Township Police and Atlantic County authorities released a statement Tuesday with the latest on how the explosion may have occurred. They ruled out gas as a possible cause.
Police said we will likely never know what ignited the explosives that caused this deadly explosion, however, we did learn that police have been called to this area multiple times over the past few months for complaints of fireworks and loud booms, adding that the investigation isn't over.
The blast most likely happened in the first-floor rear corner of the two-story home.
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The fiery blast shook homes in the neighborhood. Investigators were at the scene for hours before recovering the two final bodies the next day.
"Who would have thought it would happen in the tiny borough of Buena, but it did," Franklin Township Police Department Chief Matthew DeCesari said. "These types of chemicals when mixed are definitely dangerous."
Due to the extent of the damage and the excavation work that occurred during the search, the Atlantic County Bomb Squad could not determine which explosives caused the chain of events.
"Totally shocked, honestly, because we all thought it was a gas leak," Jose Medina said.
The statement also listed the types of explosive materials found, including 74 pounds of potassium nitrate, 58 pounds of ammonium nitrate, 45 pounds of aluminum powder and multiple M-series devices.
"To think that someone would have material like that in their home is a little scary," neighbor, Frank Motter, said.
"Items recovered from the vehicle and outbuildings are consistent with the production of commercial-grade fireworks," officials said.
In April, police said they received three to four calls for loud booms in the general area of the explosion. In June and July, they received more complaints but officers were unable to gather enough evidence for charges.
"We'd be sitting there watching TV and, I mean, you could hear them and, like I said a couple times, they shook the windows on the house," Motter said.
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"At this point, we are not going to comment on whether there is any further criminal investigation or not," DeCesari said.
Police said there is also no timeline for any potential charges.
The 1-year-old girl badly injured in the blast remains hospitalized and is being treated for burns but was responsive Tuesday. The 16-year-old also injured should be discharged from the hospital soon.
Police said they plan to speak with her.
