Homemade bomb in Washington state injures 6-year-old and her grandfather

Dispatchers began receiving calls around 9:40 PM reporting loud explosions, people screaming, flames and smoke. While enroute, deputies received a report of a man with a chest injury and fully amputated left arm.

Deputies and fire department officials found an auxiliary building engulfed in flames, and the fire had spread to nearby trees, according to a spokesman for Jefferson County Sheriff, Sgt. Brett Anglin.

A deputy, who doubles as an emergency medical technician (EMT), rendered assistance to the man and the child.

The blasts completely destroyed an auxiliary building on the property on Ness Corner Road and damaged nearby trees. According to Anglin, the fire was knocked down at 10:08 PM and was completely under control at 10:33 PM.

Detectives found evidence of manufacturing explosives such as handmade pipe bombs and improvised explosive devices within the building. At least three different explosive devices were found.

Anglin said the unidentified 46-year-old man suffered chest injuries and his left arm was amputated following the explosion. His granddaughter sustained burns to her head including superficial burns to her face. She was treated and discharged from Jefferson Healthcare Hospital in Port Townsend.

Potential charges from Jefferson County may include manufacturing explosives and arson. Anglin said the arson charge was due to the fact that someone else, namely the man’s granddaughter, was injured as a result of the explosions.

Detectives obtained a warrant and searched the property with agents of the FBI and the Washington State Patrol bomb squad. Detectives expect to forward charges to the prosecutor upon completing the investigation.