HOLLADAY, Utah – In a dramatic turn of events, authorities in Holladay, Utah, detonated a cache of “ancient dynamite” found in a residential home. The situation prompted the evacuation of the neighborhood due to safety concerns during the controlled explosion.
The Unified Fire Authority initiated the emergency evacuation as crews worked to prepare for the detonation. The discovery of a substantial amount of old dynamite led to the initial evacuation on Tuesday afternoon. With the risk posed by the explosives becoming more apparent, a second evacuation order was issued at 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday, expanding the evacuation zone.
Residents living near Highland Dr to 2540 E, I-215 to Applewood/Brentwood were instructed to evacuate immediately for the safety of everyone involved. However, assistance was readily available as the Red Cross set up an evacuation center at Oakwood Elementary School to provide aid to those displaced by the incident.
After meticulous planning and execution, the explosives were successfully detonated around 4 a.m., ensuring the safety and well-being of the community. Despite the controlled explosion, the residence where the dynamite was stored was deemed “uninhabitable” by UFA Capt. Tony Barker. The dynamite, accumulated over “generations and generations,” belonged to a homeowner described as a passionate collector of explosives.
Efforts to mitigate any potential damage to neighboring properties were successful, with neighboring houses remaining unharmed post-explosion. The evacuation and controlled detonation were crucial steps taken to safeguard the residents and ensure the area’s safety. The events in Holladay, Utah, serve as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with possessing such hazardous materials.