On Friday, July 28, the 73-year-old landlord of one of the houses in Queens was seriously injured when his hand exploded, sending mail, which he picked up on the porch. It happened about 16:15 on 222 street near Springfield Gardens.
A small cylindrical object stood on the porch for several days. There is no information about who is there left that package, and for whom it was intended. House, where she was taken, rented by two families.
As soon as the landlord residing elsewhere, he opened the parcel, it instantly exploded and caught fire. Living nearby neighbors heard the noise, felt vibration, and noticed a large cloud of smoke.
Authorities say this is the package that exploded when a Queens man opened it; 80% of his body is burned https://t.co/oyPm33FTDP pic.twitter.com/Uon2dKoHVd
— NBC New York (@NBCNewYork) July 29, 2017
«Authorities say that this is the parcel that exploded, when a man from Queens opened it; 80% of his body burned.»
“I saw a man who was lying on the grass. In fact, he was on his knees and was on fire. He was screaming because of the pain, severe pain, he was on fire, the flames engulfed the entire top half of the body,” said Rick Thomas, who lives next door.
First aid to the injured man gave his neighbors: one of them extinguished the fire with towels, someone called an ambulance and firefighters.
Arriving medics took the landlord to the medical center at Nassau University, where the doctors announced that the victim is in critical condition. More than 80% of the body of an elderly man covered with burns second and third degree. All of his clothes almost immediately burned down.
According to The New York Times, the victim is a former employee of the hospital, but already retired. His wife said, she has no idea who would want such a thing to him.
The explosion damaged not only the man but also the front part of his house.
Charred concrete and siding of Springfield Gardens house where the package exploded when opened by landlord. 73-year old critically injured. pic.twitter.com/V1Lm5K53yO
— Marcus Solis (@MarcusSolis7) July 29, 2017
«Charred concrete and siding home in Springfield Gardens, where a postal parcel exploded when it was opened by the landlord. 73-year-old man was seriously injured».
At the scene were employees of the new York police Department, later joined by FBI agents. During the inspection they found the powder, which is commonly used in antique firearms.
«There is substantial evidence left from this device, which appears to be a victim-actuated device; explosion caused by opening the package»
— Det. James Byrne (@NYPDByrne) July 28, 2017
«From the device has remained important clues, it seems, is driven by the victim; the explosion was caused by the opening of the parcel».
During the investigation found out that the parcel didn’t have the address, but the specified recipient. However, this name does not belong to any of the occupants of the house.
