‘Bomb bottle’ e-mail circulated around parish

While threat is real, authorities have not seen ‘bombs’ in St. Charles

Some residents were worried after an e-mail was sent out across the parish concerning home-made bombs.

Paradis Volunteer Fire Department Chief Oliver Dufrene Jr. sent an e-mail about kids making bombs in plastic bottles and warning residents to be wary of the bottles that seem to be trash. The e-mail was widely circulated throughout the parish, even being sent through several mailing lists.

Dufrene later said that while he is not aware of any incidents occurring locally in St. Charles Parish, the plastic bottle bombs are a real threat and have happened in other states.

Children in Michigan and Massachusetts have made the bombs using Drano, tin foil and water and left them on front lawns where unsuspecting residents would pick them up and be injured. The ingredients create a strong enough force to sever fingers and cause 2nd or 3rd degree chemical burns.

Dufrene said that the bottle has to have a cap on it for it to be dangerous. When the bottle is picked up, the contents mix in about 30 seconds and create the explosion.

“People need to be cautious,” he said. He advised any parishioners who find a suspicious-looking capped bottle on their lawn or in their mailbox to call the police.

Capt. Pat Yoes, spokesman for the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, said authorities have not seen any evidence that the bombs have been made locally.