Armed Man Found Dead After Thursday Standoff In Montco

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — Police have identified the man they found dead in the rubble of a Montgomery County home after Thursday's fiery incident locked down the community.

The body of Thomas Razzi, 66, was discovered by law enforcement searching the burnt out homes on Cardin Place in Eagleville just before midnight Thursday. His identity was confirmed early Friday morning.

Razzi, firearm in hand, had chased a code enforcement officer who had arrived at his home at around noon Thursday. The officer, who was investigating what police described as a "known hoarding condition" at the home, was able to flee and told neighbors to call 911.

Previous coverage: Police Continue Search For Montco Man After Explosions, Fire

When law enforcement arrived minutes later, Razzi came to the door unarmed, slammed the door, and retreated inside the home, police said. As SWAT teams arrived and set up a perimeter around the home, a series of explosions and gunfire came from the home, sparking a massive fire.

Investigators said that Razzi had been mixing chemical substances to make illegal fireworks. There was also a large amount of ammunition in the home, and the blaze moving through this cache and the fireworks was the source of the explosion and gunfire sounds, police said.

At no point did the suspect and police exchange gunfire, the Lower Providence Police Department clarified.

Police evacuated nearby neighbors as the fire erupted, and issued a shelter-in-place order for the community. Officers also provided cover for firefighters as they worked on the blaze, as the situation with Razzi in the home was still unclear.

Firefighters were able to quell the blaze, but it completely destroyed three townhomes and damaged three more.

The individual who suffered minor injuries was the code enforcement officer. The officer was treated at a local hospital and released.

The Lower Providence Township Fire Marshal, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad, Pennsylvania State Police, ATF, and FBI joined Lower Providence Police and Lower Providence Fire in responding to the scene, along with backup from numerous local municipalities.

An investigation is still ongoing. If you have any information, contact the Lower Providence Police Department at at 610-539-5901.