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Man arrested after explosion at West Philadelphia apartment

Published  December 2, 2018 2:10pm EST
U.S.
FOX 29 Philadelphia

WEST PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - Authorities say a man injured in an explosion inside a West Philadelphia apartment has been charged with causing the blast.

The explosion blew out the windows of a first-floor apartment on the 200 block of South 49th Street around 11:30 p.m. Saturday.

A 56-year-old man told police he lit a "quarter stick of dynamite" that he purchased at a fireworks store during an argument with two acquaintances, causing the blast. The suspect also reportedly told police the item detonated quicker than he had expected.

He was admitted to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center with facial lacerations, broken ribs and other injuries.

It's not clear what charges the suspect might face.

No other injuries were reported in the blast, though roughly 20 other building residents were evacuated for about 90 minutes. A SEPTA bus was brought to the scene for residents to take shelter in while a police bomb squad investigated.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.