Cass County deputies say pyrotechnics found in dead man’s home
The Cass County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies are investigating a scene in Strasburg, Missouri, where pyrotechnics were discovered in the home of a deceased resident. The sheriff’s office posted on social media that deputies and other authorities are on the scene of a home on the 400 block of Mill Street for an incident involving pyrotechnics. Emergency crews were called to the area at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. The Pleasant Hill Fire Department was the first agency to arrive at the scene. The home belonged to a man who died more than a month ago. While his family was cleaning out the house, they discovered the pyrotechnics and explosive materials. Residents on the block near the home were evacuated and all roads in the nearby area were closed for the investigation. A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office said that old nitrate, which is commonly used for fireworks, and Class B fireworks were found in the home. KMBC 9 was told on the scene that 100 pounds of explosive materials were discovered. Bomb squads worked to determine if the materials could be disposed of by water or fire. There was some concern about combustion in the extreme heat. Friends of the man who owned the home told KMBC that he loved chemistry. Jeffrey Johnson, who passed away in June, was known in the community for running the Pleasant Hill pool hall for more than 40 years. Friends described him as brilliant and quirky, with a passion for physics, electrical engineering, and fireworks.“He made the pool hall how it is today,” said friend Sarah Houston. “He liked fireworks. Fourth of July was his deal.”Johnson’s longtime friend Betty White said his curiosity was boundless.“It’s not abnormal that Jeff is trying to figure out something else to do. You would be amazed on some of the things that he can do,” White said.Officials on the scene also noted the man’s understanding of the science behind these materials. “This was just a guy who had a knowledge of how to use these materials, would put together some of his own fireworks,” said Mark Lopez, chief of the Pleasant Hill Fire Department. “But all of these different compounds together are very volatile and we want to make sure we get those taken care of appropriately.” Strasburg is a small town in the northeastern portion of Cass County. Its reported population is approximately 141 people.
The Cass County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies are investigating a scene in Strasburg, Missouri, where pyrotechnics were discovered in the home of a deceased resident.
The sheriff’s office posted on social media that deputies and other authorities are on the scene of a home on the 400 block of Mill Street for an incident involving pyrotechnics.
Emergency crews were called to the area at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. The Pleasant Hill Fire Department was the first agency to arrive at the scene. The home belonged to a man who died more than a month ago. While his family was cleaning out the house, they discovered the pyrotechnics and explosive materials.
Residents on the block near the home were evacuated and all roads in the nearby area were closed for the investigation.
A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office said that old nitrate, which is commonly used for fireworks, and Class B fireworks were found in the home. KMBC 9 was told on the scene that 100 pounds of explosive materials were discovered.
Bomb squads worked to determine if the materials could be disposed of by water or fire. There was some concern about combustion in the extreme heat.
Friends of the man who owned the home told KMBC that he loved chemistry.
Jeffrey Johnson, who passed away in June, was known in the community for running the Pleasant Hill pool hall for more than 40 years. Friends described him as brilliant and quirky, with a passion for physics, electrical engineering, and fireworks.
“He made the pool hall how it is today,” said friend Sarah Houston. “He liked fireworks. Fourth of July was his deal.”
Johnson’s longtime friend Betty White said his curiosity was boundless.
“It’s not abnormal that Jeff is trying to figure out something else to do. You would be amazed on some of the things that he can do,” White said.
Officials on the scene also noted the man’s understanding of the science behind these materials.
“This was just a guy who had a knowledge of how to use these materials, would put together some of his own fireworks,” said Mark Lopez, chief of the Pleasant Hill Fire Department. “But all of these different compounds together are very volatile and we want to make sure we get those taken care of appropriately.”
Strasburg is a small town in the northeastern portion of Cass County. Its reported population is approximately 141 people.
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