Homemade firework explosion creates crater in McLeansboro

MCLEANSBORO, Ill., (KBSI) — Police responded to a report of an explosion near the 200 block of North Locust Street at 11:20 a.m. Wednesday.

Officers found that a male suspect had detonated a homemade explosive device, described as a “homemade firework,” which created an approximately 18-inch crater in a ditch.

An investigation revealed undetonated items at the residence, prompting authorities to contact the Illinois Secretary of State Bomb Squad.

The bomb squad responded to the scene and confiscated all potentially hazardous items while executing a search warrant.

The investigation is ongoing, and findings will be forwarded to the Hamilton County State’s Attorney’s Office for potential prosecution.

As with all cases, the suspect is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.