Posted on 09/07/2018 10:12:43 AM PDT by SMGFan
A woman was seriously injured in Connecticut after authorities say she mistook a stick of dynamite for a candle.
(Excerpt) Read more at abc7ny.com ...
Read the article before blaming the victim here. They lost power and needed light. The “candles” were left in the basement by prior resident. They probably didn’t look like candles frankly, but the people had no idea they were quarter sticks of dynamite, which are illegal to sell or own in most of the east coast states including CT. So basically most people in this part of the country have never seen them or have any expectation to ever come across any, especially in their own home.
Is such a thing even possible?
I worked with explosives every tear since 1970. After 1970 I never saw a fuse in a stick of dynamite. Radio controlled detonators, electric detonators or chemically released detonators. Last time I saw a fuse was in a Lone Ranger episode.
The home’s previous owner was an idiot and is likely to be in for a serious law suit if they are still alive.
One does not store dynamite with the primer and fuse installed.
Dynamite stored without the primer and fuse installed is relatively safe.
Leaving behind dynamite (a licensed explosive) is probably something that the BATFE will probably be looking in to as well. Storage of dynamite in a dwelling is probably not legal either.
I think I would give the unfortunate woman a break on this. I would never expect to find dynamite in my basement. The previous owner is more to blame.
“I can’t believe someone would leave a quarter stick of dynamite with a detonator and fuze stuck in it. You generally don’t arm one until ready to use it.”
That is correct. The story seems unlikely to be true, as told.
Rumor has it that Jimmy's gal Ann Coulter reached over one night and tried to light Jimmy's Dyno-mite...thinking it was bedside candle!
Millennial idiots. The first time they’ve ever lit a candle in their lives?
How do you tell the difference. Light it and see it blows up?
M-80?
Note to self: do NOT attend any birthday parties at this lady’s place.
I twisted 3 firecrackers together, but one of the fuses, having come out was put in backwards. It was instant. In the dark I couldn’t see or feel my fingers. Hurt like H, but the fingers lived. See how easy it is to learn a life lesson?
I mean, it could happen to anyone. We all have dynamite lying around or nestled in drawers with crepe streamers and other birthday party items, right?
A scene from a old Woody Allen movie comes to mind.
“Been a long time since I have worked with dynamite but the stuff we used to use was more destructive than that.”
Indeed. A stick of the stuff we used as a catalyst to set off the ANFO would have made for a bad day for everyone in the room.
The M-80s I recall had the fuse out the side.
IIRC dymamite, if left in storage for a long time, will “sweat” nitroglycerin. This makes the stick quite hard to handle safely. That might have only been applicable to the early days of dynamite but I do remember reading that in an explosives manual many years ago.
That’s why I keep them in separate drawers.
I’m especially careful with the red candles, too.
“I can’t believe someone would leave a quarter stick of dynamite with a detonator and fuze stuck in it. You generally don’t arm one until ready to use it.”
Really! And storing it in the basement?!
I always store my dynamite in the gas oven.
I think this is what we called Ash Can fireworks back in the 70’s. It was said they were 1/4 stick of dynamite. They are about thumb size with a fuse sticking out.
I truly doubt the woman would survive a true 1/4 stick of dynamite explosion.
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