Explosion Rocks East Boston Apartment; Man Arrested

BOSTON, MA — An East Boston man is facing charges after allegedly causing an explosion early Sunday morning that police said was not related to terrorism. Tomas Mikula, 28, was arrested after an explosion at 88 Webster Street caused "major internal and structural damage. Mikula lives on the second floor of that building.

Mikula was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries. Before being hospitalized, police said he told them the explosion started in his apartment, where police allegedly later found firearms and ammunition.

A bomb squad sweep of his apartment found materials that are usually connected to explosive devices. A search warrant sweep ended in the seizure of PVC tubing and chemical compounds, materials commonly used for homemade explosives.

Police said they also found two handguns, a rifle, and over 100 rounds of ammunition.

Mikula is charged with unlawful possession of explosives, unlawful possession of an incendiary device, willful ignition/discharge of a destructive or incendiary device, two counts unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and unlawful possession of a high capacity firearm.