SHARE

Fairfield Police, Fire Looking For Motive Behind Bombs

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The motive was unclear for stockpiling the explosive devices found by the Fairfield Police and Fire departments at a Bronson Road home Tuesday night, but investigators were looking for answers Wednesday.

Fairfield law enforcement and firefighters along with representatives from the Connecticut State Police, ATF and DEEP were on hand Wednesday morning to discuss the chemical situation at a home on Bronson Road.

Fairfield law enforcement and firefighters along with representatives from the Connecticut State Police, ATF and DEEP were on hand Wednesday morning to discuss the chemical situation at a home on Bronson Road.

Photo Credit: Alissa Smith
Fairfield County Hazardous Incident Response Unit Decontamination Line at 1625 Bronson Road Entry on Tuesday night, Oct. 2.

Fairfield County Hazardous Incident Response Unit Decontamination Line at 1625 Bronson Road Entry on Tuesday night, Oct. 2.

Photo Credit: Erik Kalapir

The 65-year-old resident had lived in the home for most of his life and is currently living by himself, according to Fairfield Police Chief Gary MacNamara. Police and neighbors described the man as a guns, rockets and trains hobbyist.

“Obviously, this individual has manufactured bombs or explosive devices, which is against the law,” MacNamara said. Also, 150 to 200 guns and tens of thousands of ammunition rounds were found, he said.

Police say it was unclear what the reason was behind the building of the bombs or the stockpiling of weapons, but they hoped to determine that after an arrest was made.

Police and firefighters found the devices Tuesday after a resident called authorities reporting that someone had entered his house. When officers arrived, the resident was taken to the hospital after a conversation with officers indicated he was confused, police said.

During their investigation, police determined that the man had some kind of chemistry background and had possibly worked for Remington Arms before the factory closed, which might explain the guns.

The weapons had not been cataloged by Wednesday morning, so police were unable to say what kind of guns were found. It was unclear how many explosive devices were at the house.

“It appears this individual engaged in a hobby of rockets and other chemical things that are completely legal,” MacNamara said. When and how this man crossed the line, “We don’t know.”

On top of the manufactured bombs, police and fire discovered an unknown quantity of chemical materials, all of which were deemed stable while separated.

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) was called to the scene to help identify and remediate the situation.

Tim Carroll, supervisor of the New Haven office of the federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, said he wasn't ready to comment on the type of explosives found on the scene but said the entire office would be on hand for however long it takes to clean up.

MacNamara said during a news conference that there would mostly likely be a third private party contracted to do the removal of the chemicals and that a grant from the DEEP would pay for the remediation.

“This is a long process,” MacNamara said. The house has been stabilized and the cleanup will happen as quickly as possible, he said.

to follow Daily Voice New Canaan and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE