Kevin Ruiz, a 54-year-old Dartmouth Massachusetts resident, is facing multiple charges after a severe house explosion was triggered by fireworks, inflicting damage to a neighborhood residence. According to CBS Boston, Ruiz has been charged with the possession of component parts capable of creating a destructive/incendiary device, possession of explosives, wanton destruction of property over $1,200, and disturbing the peace.
The explosion, which occurred on September 2 shortly before 1 a.m. at Sagamore Drive in Dartmouth, completely devastated the garage of the residence and caused a fire that succumbed one of the three dogs present in the home during the blast. Following the explosion, the homeowner with serious burns was hospitalized, who everyone inside the home had managed to escape the flames safely before the arrival of first responders.
Dartmouth Police announced after carrying out an investigation that lasted several weeks, that the ignition of fireworks and related substances within the garage caused the explosion. The extent of the damage, as Boston 25 News reported, made it impossible to determine the exact cause, but it is believed the incident was accidental.
Ruiz is scheduled to appear in New Bedford District Court on October 6. A preliminary investigation found, via a neighbor's statement, that Ruiz was known for hosting fireworks displays. "It's all fun and games when you are going outside and looking at them... but to think he had been storing that stuff in his house, that has potential for a much, much more serious problem," Ed Rouxinol said, who lives two homes down after the explosion.
