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.
I read the article. They were probably fireworks and not 'dynamite', but who knows? You'd have to be an idiot to think they were candles. Maybe they never saw fireworks...but I'm sure a 30 year old woman has seen a candle.
Candle wicks and dynamite fuses are very different. Anly a fool would confuse them. Nobody would would put a short fuse and a cap into a stick of dynamite unless there were malicious intent.
I think there is more to the story.