BARNEGAT TRASH CAN EXPLOSION UPDATE

On October 13, 2016 just after 1:30 am, the Barnegat Police Department received multiple reports of an explosion in the area of Village Drive, Barnegat.  Arriving Officers found a cloud of smoke emanating from the remnants of a rubber trash can located curbside between 81 Village drive and 82 Windward Drive with a debris field contained within 10 yards of the area of origin.  The explosion caused no injuries or damage to surrounding homes and vehicles.

On 01/18/2017 the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office received a follow up report regarding the investigation from Shoshanna Hayesaha, a post blast expert with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.   Special Agent Hayesaha advised that the explosion was organic, and not caused from any man made materials.  The report could not rule out decomposed organics from the mulch, sticks, and other debris within the trash can forming an endothermic reaction resulting in the production of heat as the cause.

Barnegat Explosion Location Courtesy Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office

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