FAIRFIELD — A young adult male was treated for significant hand injuries at an area hospital on Dec. 1, following an incident involving homemade explosive devices, the Fairfield Police Department reported.
The patient, whose injuries occurred at around 12:25 p.m., told hospital staff that he and a friend had constructed and detonated the devices earlier that day.
An investigation found that the pair had built four explosives using materials bought online and from retail stores.
They transported the devices to Pine Creek Marsh, where two were detonated.
The third device exploded prematurely, resulting in the injuries, while the fourth did not detonate and was abandoned at the site.
The injured individual was taken to the hospital by the second subject, who then left to return to their college residence out-of-state.
The Stamford Police Department Bomb Squad, in collaboration with Fairfield Police, located and safely disposed of the remaining device.
Further investigations led authorities to a residence on Arbor Drive, uncovering additional materials.
As a precaution, nearby homes were evacuated until the Stamford Bomb Squad and Fairfield Police secured the area.
Given that one subject crossed state lines, the FBI was engaged to assist with interviews and coordinate the multi-jurisdictional effort.
The individuals involved claimed their actions were experimental, with no intent to harm others.
Nonetheless, the incident is still under investigation.
The Fairfield Police stress the dangers of creating and using homemade explosives, emphasizing such behavior as unsafe and illegal.
They thanked the Stamford Bomb Squad and the FBI for their help in assuring community safety and resolving the situation swiftly.
Authorities encourage residents to report any suspicious activities related to explosives to prevent potential dangers to the community.
They also advise those with additional information on this incident to contact the Fairfield Police Detective Division at (203) 254-4840 or submit tips through various channels provided by the department.
