WICHITA, Kan. – Authorities in Wichita, Kansas, are investigating a tragic incident that occurred in a southeast Wichita apartment complex. A person lost their life in an explosion that took place in a detached garage, with suspicions arising that the individual may have been involved in the production of illegal homemade fireworks.
According to Wichita Police Lieutenant Aaron Moses, initial findings suggest that the victim was in the process of mixing an unknown substance at the time of the explosion. This activity is believed to be connected to the illegal manufacturing of homemade pyrotechnics. The explosion occurred at the Cedarbrooke Apartments on East Harry Street near Rock Road. Firefighters were called to the scene and discovered the deceased male next to the garage.
No other individuals were harmed in the incident. Authorities are working to confirm the identity of the victim before making any public announcements regarding the individual’s name. In response to the explosion, additional resources, including detectives, the bomb squad from the Wichita Police Department, Wichita Fire Investigators, and federal investigators from the FBI and ATF, were deployed to the area for further investigation.
The aftermath of the explosion led to significant damage, with approximately half of the five-bay detached garage collapsing. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with the production of illegal fireworks and the risks involved in such activities. Investigators are diligently working to piece together the events leading up to the explosion to determine the cause and prevent similar tragedies in the future.