House Explosion by Addison Jordan

Summary: Two boys in Seattle were wounded and sent to the hospital on Sunday after an explosion inside a home. The boys, who are cousins, were working on a science project for school when the unfortunate accident happened.

            The science project that the boys had been working involved model rocketry. One of the boys’ fathers said that the boys were trying to start a fire in the fireplace and may have used some fuel intended for the rocket.

            “The explosion broke out windows in the living room and kitchen and propelled some debris out into the back yard,” said Seattle police Detective Renee Witt. Both of the boys suffered severe wounds.

            Investigators searched through the debris in the living room and found several homemade fireworks bottle rockets, small aerial display mortars, and a skyrocket. "There was a supply of items to build many more, including assorted chemical powders for mixing up pyrotechnic powders," Witt said. "The completed items were seized for destruction."

Analysis: This is an accident that may have been avoided with adult supervision.  Even though the boys were working on a school project, there should have been an adult around to supervise because of the kind of materials they were working with.  Kids under a certain age shouldn’t even be allowed to buy explosive products without an adult.   It appears to be just a horrible accident.   Maybe they weren’t being careful enough, but who knows. I just hope that the boys will recover from their injuries.

Link: http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/16/us/seattle-science-project-explosion/index.html?hpt=us_c2