Leander Man Injured After Homemade Explosives Ignite

LEANDER , TEXAS — A Leander man is hospitalized after homemade explosive he kept in his home ignited on Sunday evening, police said.

Steven Blake Aldrich, 60, called 911 at around 7:20 p.m. on Sunday after he was injured in the explosion inside his home at 701 Newcastle Lane. As a safeguard, police evacuated nearby homes after responding to the scene, police said in a press release. Aldrich, meanwhile, was transported to St. David's Round Rock Medical Center with injuries deemed serious but not life-threatening.

Crews with the Williamson County EMS, Leander Fire Department and the Leander Police Department responded to the scene, police said in the press advisory, learning that Aldrich was in the process of making homemade explosives in his home when an ignition sparked an explosion.

Patch made a formal request to officials in trying to determine the specific nature of the exploded materials, but officials declined to provide specifics. "Since the investigation is ongoing, we are not providing details of the materials found at this time," City of Leander spokesman Mike Neu replied in an email.

Police did note that the remaining explosive materials were detonated in place as they were too unsafe to transport away from the scene.

Police said there is no indication Aldrich was making a bomb or had any intention of hurting anyone with his homemade explosives. Officials with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), FBI and the Austin Police Department continue to investigate the case, according to reports, yet no arrest has been made.

This isn't the first time Aldrich has gotten into trouble with the law for related charges. According to Williamson County Jail records, he was arrested on July 2015 in a similar incident after which he faced federal charges related to creation or possession of explosive materials. He was booked into the county jail that year, records indicate, with collective bail set at $40,000. He also previously was arrested and assessed unlawful weapons possession charges in 2016 and 2017, according to records.

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>>> Booking photo of Steven B. Aldrich from earlier 2015 charge via Williamson County Jail records