That there is a special kind of stupid!
Previous owners left it in basement.
was it labeled Dynamite?
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 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.