State police are investigating the explosion in Pike County

DELAWARE, PA – A 53-year-old man was injured while mixing chemicals at his Delaware home, according to PA State Police (PSP) in Blooming Grove.

According to state police, emergency crews were dispatched to Beech Road in Delaware Township at 12:48 p.m. on Thursday, May 9, following reports of an explosion.

The victim was found in his garage with severe cuts to his body. According to PSP, he was immediately flown to Lehigh Valley-Cedar Crest for medical attention.

Medical staff determined that his injuries were not caused by electrical factors.

Blooming Grove police officers secured the scene and requested assistance from PSP’s Dangerous Devices and Explosives Division, as well as bomb technicians from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

According to state police, an investigation revealed that the victim had been collecting metals for a scrap yard and had accidentally mixed live primers with other scrap metal in a bucket. The resulting ignition led to an explosion.

The investigation revealed no criminal intent and there was no danger to the public, the police said.

Officer Joshua Byers is currently leading the investigation into the incident.