# "Bomb Factory" house too dangerous to clear -- will be burned down **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 6, 2010, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bomb-factory-house-too-dangerous-to-clear-will-be-burned-down/563160 "2010-12-06T16:43:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bomb-factory-house-too-dangerous-to-clear-will-be-burned-down/563160/41 "2010-12-07T17:16:43Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > This thread is crying out for **Tripler** to comment on. No Tripler yet but this stuff is also up my alley. The explosives listed as present and not already assembled into a detonator or confined in a bomb body will deflagrate (burn) from the heat of the fire rather than detonate (explode). The decision to burn down the house and not attempt to move the explosives is the correct one. All the listed items are sensitive to shock and friction. “Blowing in place” would set off the explosives in a detonation which would do much more damage locally (neighbors houses and property) The detonators (if loaded) will explode due to the confinement and density of the explosive. Very small quantites in this case. It would sound like small arms ammunition popping off in a fire if even audible. Based on the cited evacuation distances, very little explosive contribution is expected. The effects the authorities are concentrating on are intense fire locally and airborne chemical contamination downwind of the house. All the trash mixed with the chemicals present will make a strange brew from the fire. This will be more of a chemical burn than an explosive event. Of course, if the guy buried several hundred pounds previously made under the house or in a crawl space - there will be a crater:eek: ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bomb-factory-house-too-dangerous-to-clear-will-be-burned-down/563160/42 "2010-12-07T18:50:20Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > No Tripler yet but this stuff is also up my alley. The explosives listed as present and not already assembled into a detonator or confined in a bomb body will deflagrate (burn) from the heat of the fire rather than detonate (explode). The decision to burn down the house and not attempt to move the explosives is the correct one. All the listed items are sensitive to shock and friction. “Blowing in place” would set off the explosives in a detonation which would do much more damage locally (neighbors houses and property) In addition, if the perpetrator in question where manufacturing explosives in a wood frame structure or unsealed concrete floor, there is a good chance that the solvents used will have been deposited and absorbed by those materials, making the entire structure a toxic and combustion hazard site to working personnel. Controlled burning the materials, thereby dispersing the solvents into the atmosphere, is the least hazardous course of action. A followup washdown and mop-up should dilute any residual products. I personally wouldn’t want to live next door to this house, but it is probably no worse a health hazard than swimming in a lake after a heavy rainstorm. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![phouka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bomb-factory-house-too-dangerous-to-clear-will-be-burned-down/563160/43 "2010-12-08T15:49:33Z")
Yup. That’s my home town! I’m actually a member of CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), but I doubt they’ll be activating us unless it really does go to Hell in a handbasket. ---
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bomb-factory-house-too-dangerous-to-clear-will-be-burned-down/563160/44 "2010-12-08T16:15:45Z")
I’m so happy my neighbors only make meth. Oh . . . wait. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bomb-factory-house-too-dangerous-to-clear-will-be-burned-down/563160/45 "2010-12-08T16:53:12Z")
The burn is currently scheduled for 9 a.m. tomorrow (Thursday), which is something of a pain in the ass, as they will be closing down I-15 in both directions for at least an hour, and i work about 10 minutes from Escondido. The stretch of I-15 that i use to get to work won’t actually be closed, but i’m betting that there will still be some traffic backup, so i’m going to have to leave about half an hour earlier tomorrow. In an interesting development, the suspect’s lawyer has put in an emergency request to stop the burning, on the fairly reasonable grounds that: > [@](#): > > There could be documents and other evidence inside that would be critical to Berg’s defense of George Jakubec and “once it’s gone, it’s gone,” the attorney told the San Diego Union-Tribune. The hearing is set for today. ---
**Author:** ![Encinitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bomb-factory-house-too-dangerous-to-clear-will-be-burned-down/563160/46 "2010-12-09T18:19:20Z")
They are preparing to set fire to the house at ~10:30 a.m. today (about 10 minutes from now), weather permitting. They have evacuated homes in the area and closed Interstate 15 which runs adjacent to the property. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bomb-factory-house-too-dangerous-to-clear-will-be-burned-down/563160/47 "2010-12-09T18:40:52Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > In an interesting development, the suspect’s lawyer has put in an emergency request to stop the burning, on the fairly reasonable grounds that:The hearing is set for today. I can understand both sides, but this is too great of an immediate threat to the public. One wonders what exonerating materials could possibly be in the house. Purchase orders from the US Government for bomb materials? ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bomb-factory-house-too-dangerous-to-clear-will-be-burned-down/563160/48 "2010-12-09T18:44:15Z")
> [@Encinitas](#): > > They are preparing to set fire to the house at ~10:30 a.m. today (about 10 minutes from now), weather permitting. They have evacuated homes in the area and closed Interstate 15 which runs adjacent to the property. It is on none of the news networks at the moment. Seriously? They have more interesting things than a house filled with explosives being deliberately burned down? ---
**Author:** ![Encinitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bomb-factory-house-too-dangerous-to-clear-will-be-burned-down/563160/49 "2010-12-09T18:48:12Z")
I have a live video feed from [KTLA](http://www.ktla.com/videobeta/?watchLive=kswb-ls-bomb-house-burn). Also, NBC is broadcasting live over the internet. ---
**Author:** ![Algher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bomb-factory-house-too-dangerous-to-clear-will-be-burned-down/563160/50 "2010-12-09T18:48:54Z")
> **[NBC 7 San Diego](https://www.nbcsandiego.com/)** > > San Diego News, Local News, Weather, Traffic, Entertainment, Breaking News Looks like they are running a live feed ---
**Author:** ![Encinitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bomb-factory-house-too-dangerous-to-clear-will-be-burned-down/563160/51 "2010-12-09T18:50:23Z")
Here’s a link to ABC Channel 10’s [coverage](http://www.10news.com/video/15013365/index.html). ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bomb-factory-house-too-dangerous-to-clear-will-be-burned-down/563160/52 "2010-12-09T18:51:48Z")
Supposed to be a [live feed](http://www.kcra.com/video/26078284/detail.html) Nothing yet. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bomb-factory-house-too-dangerous-to-clear-will-be-burned-down/563160/53 "2010-12-09T18:57:51Z")
Encinita’s is working live. I can’t enable much volume, what’s with the ropes stretched out from the house to the guys doing the burn? Woah, that thing’s going quick. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bomb-factory-house-too-dangerous-to-clear-will-be-burned-down/563160/54 "2010-12-09T18:58:04Z")
We have smoke! No new Pope, though. ---
**Author:** ![Encinitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bomb-factory-house-too-dangerous-to-clear-will-be-burned-down/563160/55 "2010-12-09T18:58:43Z")
Smoke reported coming from home now. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bomb-factory-house-too-dangerous-to-clear-will-be-burned-down/563160/56 "2010-12-09T19:01:43Z")
Did anyone think to grab the marshmallows? ---
**Author:** ![Encinitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bomb-factory-house-too-dangerous-to-clear-will-be-burned-down/563160/57 "2010-12-09T19:04:38Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > Did anyone think to grab the marshmallows? I like 'em crispy! ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bomb-factory-house-too-dangerous-to-clear-will-be-burned-down/563160/58 "2010-12-09T19:06:54Z")
That smoke looks nasty. By the way, it baffles me that the TV station would run a live feed but devote two-thirds of the screen to a meaningless blank background. Why not fill the whole screen? ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bomb-factory-house-too-dangerous-to-clear-will-be-burned-down/563160/59 "2010-12-09T19:19:35Z")
That house is fully engulfed and even on the wane now, point being that any possibility of an explosion should be past. That and with the smoke column moving straight up, I wish they’d go ahead and let the considerable traffic resume use of the highway. The one positive for all those stuck travellers, at least it wasn’t the most boring traffic jam ever. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bomb-factory-house-too-dangerous-to-clear-will-be-burned-down/563160/60 "2010-12-09T21:25:40Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > I think the property owner is probably out of luck. Isn’t there a rule that police rely on to the effect that property used in the (even suspected) comission of a crime is seized outright? > > > [@mhendo](#): > > > > No. Yes, there is; you’ve never heard of asset forfeiture laws? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bomb-factory-house-too-dangerous-to-clear-will-be-burned-down/563160.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bomb-factory-house-too-dangerous-to-clear-will-be-burned-down/563160.md?page=4)