ATF agents safely detonated several illegal fireworks in Riverside Friday afternoon to show their dangerous and unpredictable power. The devices detonated were all taken in the last two weeks from criminal investigations in the Kansas City area.
"Stay away from those things," said John Ham with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. "You don't know what's in it. There was no manufacturing quality to it. We have no idea what's in it."
There are serious consequences to these IEDs too.
"You're violating federal law," said Ham. "So you could be facing a federal felony. Certainly there is plenty of prison time to go with that."
This has been a problem in Kansas City.
ATF investigators say in 2014, homemade fireworks caused a Kansas City home to explode. The homeowner later died.
In 2015, ATF and Kansas City police arrested a man for selling explosives online. Authorities seized 188 boxes from the home full of homemade and illegal fireworks.
And just this January, a business exploded in Grandview.
"Thus far, our investigation would indicate that was an illegal fireworks manufacturing facility," said Ham.
Ham advises to only buy professionally-made and legal fireworks, and celebrate safely in an area where they are legal to use. Be suspicious of any unmarked explosives or purchasing from an individual rather than a business.
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Lindsay Shively is an anchor and reporter for 41 Action News. Hear her full report at 5 p.m. and check back here for updates.
