Any E.O.D. People out there?

[SeaCat]

I just read an interesting article in the local paper here about a shed explosion in Boynton Beach last night. It was strong enough that it shattered windows and was heard a mile away. One person died in the explosion.

My question is; what kind of explosive leaves a white cloud and a smell like burning wires? (From a neighbors witness account.)

Oh and the local Sheriffs Dept. are claiming there were "Illegal" explosives being stored in the shed.

Cat

 

[Guest]

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Semtex, produced in Checkolslovakia came in several varaints. the one's terrorists prefer is oderless. The "market" ready variant had an artifical smell added to the mix to make it easier to track with dogs. It does not, however, leave a ntocielbe oder upon detonation.

My guess is, ti was a plastic explosive and the "white" smoke and burned wire smell were actually by products of whatever it vaporized when it went up.

 

[TheEarl]

Semtex, produced in Checkolslovakia came in several varaints. the one's terrorists prefer is oderless. The "market" ready variant had an artifical smell added to the mix to make it easier to track with dogs. It does not, however, leave a ntocielbe oder upon detonation.

My guess is, ti was a plastic explosive and the "white" smoke and burned wire smell were actually by products of whatever it vaporized when it went up.

Why am I unsurprised that it's you who comes up with that knowledge?

The Earl

 

[SeaCat]

Semtex, produced in Checkolslovakia came in several varaints. the one's terrorists prefer is oderless. The "market" ready variant had an artifical smell added to the mix to make it easier to track with dogs. It does not, however, leave a ntocielbe oder upon detonation.

My guess is, ti was a plastic explosive and the "white" smoke and burned wire smell were actually by products of whatever it vaporized when it went up.

I too am thinking it may be a plastique type of explosive but one of the home made variants. (Yes for those of you who don't know, you can make it at home and it even works.)

I dealt with a number of explosives, mainly military or commercial grade back in the '80's but I never dealt with the home made ones.

Thanks.

Cat

 

[rgraham666]

I too am thinking it may be a plastique type of explosive but one of the home made variants. (Yes for those of you who don't know, you can make it at home and it even works.)

I dealt with a number of explosives, mainly military or commercial grade back in the '80's but I never dealt with the home made ones.

Thanks.

Cat

Just as well. Most homemade ones tend to go off at inopportune times. As the incident you mentioned shows.

 

[R. Richard]

I just read an interesting article in the local paper here about a shed explosion in Boynton Beach last night. It was strong enough that it shattered windows and was heard a mile away. One person died in the explosion.

My question is; what kind of explosive leaves a white cloud and a smell like burning wires? (From a neighbors witness account.)

Oh and the local Sheriffs Dept. are claiming there were "Illegal" explosives being stored in the shed.

Cat

Dynamite creates a white cloud. As Colly mentioned, the smell could be caused by what was blown up, not necessarily by the explosive.

Dynamite is used in construction work. It is not too uncommon to find it stored in places where it should not be stored. Heat will often "cook" the nitro out of dynamite. Do not mess with old, stored dynamite.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Why am I unsurprised that it's you who comes up with that knowledge?

The Earl

When the revolution comes, I'm going to be on Colly's side--which one that is doesn't matter.

I'm not a demo man, never got past using C-4 to heat my C-rations and getting some stupid Lt. to stomp out the fire. Anyway, if homemade, do you think fertilizer might have been the chief ingredient?

Rumple Foreskin

 

[SeaCat]

Dynamite creates a white cloud. As Colly mentioned, the smell could be caused by what was blown up, not necessarily by the explosive.

Dynamite is used in construction work. It is not too uncommon to find it stored in places where it should not be stored. Heat will often "cook" the nitro out of dynamite. Do not mess with old, stored dynamite.

LOLOL

How well I know that.

Cat

 

[SeaCat]

Okay here is the article from the Palm Beach Post.

Boynton Explosion

Cat

 

[Colleen Thomas]

I too am thinking it may be a plastique type of explosive but one of the home made variants. (Yes for those of you who don't know, you can make it at home and it even works.)

I dealt with a number of explosives, mainly military or commercial grade back in the '80's but I never dealt with the home made ones.

Thanks.

Cat

IIRC Diesl fuel and 13-13-13 amonium nitrate fertilizer will produce a white smoke that is an irritant. Diesl and brake fluied will rpduce one, when added to a stbilizer like commercial gelatin that produces a witish green gas that is a vatriation of chlorine gas.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Why am I unsurprised that it's you who comes up with that knowledge?

The Earl

Because if it's obscure and has to do with blowing things up, I generaly have an idea?

 

[sardonic]

Any chance of it being something more mundane and common, like a meth lab?

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Okay here is the article from the Palm Beach Post.

Boynton Explosion

Cat

Totally non professional opinion here.

I'm going to surmise a nitrate fertilzer and diesl fuel combination was the explosive agent. The multiple bangs and shratmal sounds very much like several 55 gallon drums going up in sympathetic explosions, which would be characteristic of how that paricular IED is manufactured. A whiteish smoke is also characteristic. For the smell, I can only surmise it was something else in the house or used in the process. because I don't think it has a distinctive smell when detonated. However, there was a lot of fire, so it's piossible the oder came from burning the contents of the house.

 

[SeaCat]

Totally non professional opinion here.

I'm going to surmise a nitrate fertilzer and diesl fuel combination was the explosive agent. The multiple bangs and shratmal sounds very much like several 55 gallon drums going up in sympathetic explosions, which would be characteristic of how that paricular IED is manufactured. A whiteish smoke is also characteristic. For the smell, I can only surmise it was something else in the house or used in the process. because I don't think it has a distinctive smell when detonated. However, there was a lot of fire, so it's piossible the oder came from burning the contents of the house.

Very well could have been. I have never dealt with Ammonium Nitrate Explosives so I don't know. We'll have to wait and see what the police and BATF tell us. *snort*

Cat

 

[SeaCat]

Any chance of it being something more mundane and common, like a meth lab?

Possible but unlikely. While they do have the nasty habit of blowing up, especially if not ventilated properly, they usualy don't have this kind of power or signature. (Those I have seen blow up while I was on the Fire Dept.)

Cat

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Very well could have been. I have never dealt with Ammonium Nitrate Explosives so I don't know. We'll have to wait and see what the police and BATF tell us. *snort*

Cat

Cat,

You can look up the disaster at Texas City in 1947. It wasn't an act of terrorism, but the explosive agent was Amonium nitrate fertilizer and fire. Apparently the stuff is really volitile, even without being mixed when it's exposed to heat.

 

[SeaCat]

Okay,
From what I have heard/read today it seems the dead one was busy making Fire Works for the fourth when they decided to start the show a might early.

This means that at least some of the exlosives were Balck Powder. (Hence the white smoke.)

Cat

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Okay,
From what I have heard/read today it seems the dead one was busy making Fire Works for the fourth when they decided to start the show a might early.

This means that at least some of the exlosives were Balck Powder. (Hence the white smoke.)

Cat

And the multiple bangs.

Is black powder illegal in Florida though?

 

[SeaCat]

And the multiple bangs.

Is black powder illegal in Florida though?

Ummmmm, not the last time I checked. (My father can get it in quantity for his rifle and pistol.)

Cat

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Ummmmm, not the last time I checked. (My father can get it in quantity for his rifle and pistol.)

Cat

I just wondered, because the article alluded to illegal explosives.

 

[SeaCat]

I just wondered, because the article alluded to illegal explosives.

I think what they said was Illegal Explosive Devices. (Or at least that's what I recall without going back to the article, I;'m feeling lazy tonight. )

Cat

 

[Colleen Thomas]

I think what they said was Illegal Explosive Devices. (Or at least that's what I recall without going back to the article, I;'m feeling lazy tonight. )

Cat

Probably, I just ruled out any legal explosives when I saw it. You know what they say about assumiong anything. it makes an ass out of you & me

 

[SeaCat]

Probably, I just ruled out any legal explosives when I saw it. You know what they say about assumiong anything. it makes an ass out of you & me

Do I ever. I commit that particular crime about once a day.

Cat

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Do I ever. I commit that particular crime about once a day.

Cat

if it helps, I still think you're great

*HUSG*