700 Sticks of Unstable Dynamite Found in Stony Creek Quarry

Yesterday during a routine inspection of the , officials of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives discovered 430 pounds of unstable dynamite. Branford Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal Shaun Heffernan said Branford responded to the scene along with the bomb squad of the Connecticut State Police Emergency Services Unit to address the issue.

Heffernan reported about 700 sticks of unstable, three-year-old dynamite, belonging to Madison-based J & J Blasting Corp. was destroyed. The dynamite was crystallized, Heffernan stated, adding that though it has never occurred at the Quarry in his past, incidents like this have been reported around the state.

J & J Blasting Corp., leases four magazines from the town at the Quarry. The incident could not have been foreseen, stated Heffernan, adding that the blasting company has not been found in fault or liable for the incident.

No one was injured during the destruction of the dynamite.