Firework safety 102: Do not buy fireworks out of the back of a house

There are just so many stories of what not to do with fireworks, this is no exception. It was probably not the the best idea to purchase fireworks out of a crappy house from some old guy names Mr. Jones.

According to police reports obatined by WKYC, the explosion happened outside of a home on the 300-block of Grand Avenue in West Akron, Ohio Monday night. Neighbors say it sounded like a bomb went off. The blast was so powerful, it shattered the windows of at least 2 neighboring homes, and blasted the windshield and front cab of a pickup truck parked in the driveway.

Police say 34-year old Kevin Skubic has just purchased homemade fireworks from the homeowner, 65-year old Wayne Jones. Skubic was carrying the fireworks to his pickup truck, when they suddenly detonated. Skubic lost an arm in the blast, and police say, he is at risk of losing his other arm, along with an eye.



Police arrested Jones and charged him with manufacturing explosives, unlawful possession of a dangerous ordinance, illegal assembly of chemicals/explosives, and possession of criminal tools. Jones will have his first court hearing Wednesday morning in Akron Municipal Court.

Police still don't know why the fireworks exploded. Skubic's girlfriend had been smoking in the minutes before the blast. Police are also considering whether static electricity may be a cause.