Woman Suing After Mistaking Explosive For Candle

BRIDGEPORT, CT — A woman who was severely injured after mistaking an explosive for a homemade candle is suing the former owner of her property.

Gutierrez searched her home for a light source on Sept. 6, 2018 after thunderstorms knocked out power to her Bridgeport neighborhood, according to a lawsuit. She found what she believed to be a homemade candle in the basement and lit it.

She sustained severe injuries to her face, eye and hands, including the loss of three fingers and a thumb on her left hand.

The lawsuit claims that previous owner Oscar Aguirre was careless in leaving the explosive device in the home after the sale and that it wasn't marked as an explosive device. Gutierrez and her husband Abdias Martinez purchased their home in 2016.

Gutierrez is seeking more than $15 million dollars in damages. The lawsuit was filed by Paul Ganim.

Image via Shutterstock