Chemical bomb injures Girard teenager

Staff report

GIRARD

A 16-year-old Crumlin Avenue youth was in good condition in the burn unit at Akron Children’s Hospital in Akron Thursday after a chemical bomb he was attempting to make exploded and injured him.

The incident occurred early Wednesday afternoon at his home.

When police arrived, they found the boy with a towel over his face, and he told them he couldn’t see. He first was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center.

Police reported that the youth, his brother and a friend were in the youth’s home when the youth said he was going outside to make a “works” bomb. Police described it as a homemade explosive in which a chemical is placed in a plastic bottle and mixed with a metal; the resulting chemical reaction causes an explosion.

Neighbors heard only a small explosion and said it sounded more like a firework.

Afterward, the 16-year-old ran to a next-door neighbor’s house saying he couldn’t see.

Police found a plastic bottle that was split down one side and had white residue inside. Police also found a green plastic bottle that was capped and had white residue inside.

Police also found an open package of pool chemicals. It appeared to match the chemicals found in the bottles.

Police continue to investigate.

The neighbor described the youth as a “good kid,” just a little mischievous. The man, who has lived in the same house for more than 30 years, has known the youth since he was a baby.

“Whenever I asked [the youth] for help with something, he’d do it,”

Thursday the neighbor told The Vindicator the youth’s mother had called from Akron and said the boy’s condition has improved, and his eyesight has returned.