Barnegat trash can explosion not from man-made materials
A trash can explosion last year in Barnegat occurred due to organic materials, authorities said.
A Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives report concluded that the explosion was not triggered by man-made materials, according to a release from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
The release said the report could not rule out decomposed organic materials from mulch, sticks, and other debris found within the trash can “forming an endothermic reaction resulting in the production of heat as the cause.”
The Oct. 13 blast happened just after 1:30 a.m. on Village Drive in the Ocean County municipality.
Responding officers discovered a cloud of smoke emanating from the trash can and a debris field within a 10 yard radius.
There were no injuries or damage to any homes or vehicles.
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