Explosion during ‘domestic’ hostage situation in Connecticut injures 6 officers

Up to six police officers were reportedly injured in an explosion in North Haven, Connecticut, where a man took his family hostage after police responded to an apparent domestic dispute call. The officers were rushed to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries at around 8:30pm.

“This started late this afternoon with what was apparently a very violent domestic call,” North Haven First Selectman Michael Freda told Fox 61. The officers “were trying to coax him…out of the house and really try to calm the situation down. Then things took a turn for the worse with an explosion.”

“It sounds almost like it was a booby trap type of explosion,” Freda said. “Based on the way the explosions took place, from what police told me, there was a series of explosions, which may indicate some sort of rigged booby traps.”

The suspect’s wife apparently managed to escape the house during the explosions, but it remains unclear whether other family members remain inside. The suspect, however, is still inside the house, while a fire is still burning in the barn, sources told WFSB Channel 3 news.

Police are still working at the scene as, despite the explosion, the suspect remains barricaded inside his home, local media report.

The roads surrounding the residence remain closed off. Meanwhile, firefighters rushed to the scene to battle the blaze as plumes of thick black smoke covered the neighborhood after the blast.

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