jpgto Loc: North East Tennessee

Yesterday the blasting crew set out to complete some demolition work on a
property next door. Spoke with the 'Master Blaster' about what was going to take place
and concern over the 'ooops factor'! I was assured that only small charges would be used
and they were well within the ranges for a closely populated neighborhood.
First detonation went off with a slight bump felt in the house. The seismic
monitor registered the blast around a 1.03 in my front yard. Later, the second bump
was much stronger, felt like the house jumped about 4 inches and resettled!
Whoa!
Seconds later, on the scanner, the local fire department, police, ambo and Fire Marshal
were being dispatched to our location for a 'blasting accident'! On their arrival they
found the mess you see in the pictures. They immediately called for the local building
official, State Fire Marshall and the State PD bob squad!!!!
I wandered outside to see what was going on. On the way past the seisomometer I
peeked at the reading....hmmmmm, 1.44! Mind you the blast was moved about 20 furtherer
away from this location. In my mind which should have been similar to the initial blast
reading.
As I went to the property line this is what I found! Before the responders arrived!
Guess the 'minimal charges' went out the window. This blast moved not only the debris you
see for a couple of hundred feet, it lifted 6 5,000 # blasting mats (30,000#) into the street and
down hill adjoining properties. So.....I guess this was not a 'minimal charge' set off on this blast!
If interested more can be found with a video of the blast at nbcct,com our CT NBC Channel
4 TV station. There was several news reports....Blasting Accident in Naugatuck.

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StanMac Loc: Tennessee

I hope the demolition company’s liability policies were paid up to date! Who would approve using blasting for demolition in a residential neighborhood anyway!?

Stan

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

Is the gray house yours and driveway too? Looks like a lawsuit is on its way!

angler Loc: StHelens England

Wow it's lucky that someone did'nt get hurt and i agree with Stan why where they using explosives in a residential neighbourhood.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Maybe it was the same size charge, but there was trapped gas underground that also exploded? or some other explosive materials? or some maybe some buried war memorabilia?

I say war memorabilia because I know a guy that passed away and when they went to his home to get it ready for an estate sale, they found some live hand grenades. The bomb squad was notified and came to recover them. You never know what might be buried near a home.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

First question to me is what were they 'removing' certainly not a wood frame house, followed closely by what idiot issued the permit.

Cmbtvet Loc: Elmira, NY

As a combat engineer we have an old say for calculating demo charges P=plenty

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Blasting charges are just like megapixels and AF points... MORE IS BETTER! (Unless you're right next door!)

P.S. You have a seismic monitor in your front yard? Heck, I live in California and I don't have one of those. (Actually, I'd rather not know!)

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

Oops indeed. Way too much bang was used.

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

Osama bin Laden. LOL

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Glad your okay
Thats way too close for comfort. Why were the blasting?
I'M betting their Insurance just took a big jump.

rustfarmer

The good news (for neighbors anyway) is the law provides "strict liability" for blasting activities.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

LOL?

Sylvias Loc: North Yorkshire England

Wow Jeff, pleased you and yours are ok.

Oldnintheway

I would have my house/foundation inspected by a professional for damage.