Manville, NJ — A New Jersey man and his son are under arrest following a dangerous incident involving an explosive device at a local party in Manville over the weekend. The incident resulted in serious injuries to a partygoer and damage to nearby properties.
Authorities responded to reports of an explosion Saturday night in the Valley section of Manville, where a small gathering was taking place. Upon arrival, police and emergency services discovered a 34-year-old man with severe lower torso injuries. He was promptly airlifted to a nearby trauma hospital for treatment.
The suspects, identified as 60-year-old Thomas Kaiser and his 28-year-sold son, Erich Kaiser, reportedly attempted to detonate a signal cannon at the event. Designed to emit a loud boom and smoke for signaling purposes, the device malfunctionly erupted, sending fragments flying into the crowd and surrounding area.
An investigation revealed that the malfunction not only injured a guest from the same party but also caused property damage. Fragments from the explosion damaged several homes and vehicles in the vicinity, underscoring the severity of the mishap.
Following the incident, both Thomas and Erich Kaiser were taken into custody and are now facing assault and other related charges. They have since been released pending a preliminary hearing in Somerset County Superior Court. Details about legal representation for the Kaisers were not immediately available.
This is not Thomas Kaiser’s first brush with the law related to the use of explosives. In a prior incident in 2019, he was arrested after bringing a cooler filled with fireworks to a bar in the Jersey Shore area. The presence of the explosives led to the cancellation of a scheduled Labor Day parade. Kaiser was later sentenced to one year of probation in connection with that event.
The recent explosion raises concerns about the use of signal cannons and similar devices in public gatherings. Authorities emphasize the importance of handling such equipment with extreme caution to avoid unintended injuries and damages.
Local safety officials are expected to review regulations surrounding the use of explosive devices at public events, seeking to prevent future incidents. Meanwhile, the community is rallying to support the injured partygoer as he recovers from the traumatic event.