STATIC SPARKS THE 4TH 
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This story can be found at: http://news.tbo.com/news/MGA9VFWI93D.html
TAMPA TRIBUNE, TAMPA FLORIDA
Jul 5, 2002
2 Men Injured In Explosion Of Homemade Acetylene Bombs
By JOHN WING
jwing@tampatrib.com
TAMPA - Two Tampa men suffered shrapnel and burn injuries after homemade acetylene bombs exploded inside a parked car Thursday.
James Suchomski, 25, and Josh Edleman, 26, told rescue personnel they were filling ballons with acetylene gas to explode as they celebrated Independence Day, Tampa Fire Rescue Capt. Bill Wade said.
The men placed the balloons inside a 1990 Honda Prelude parked in the front yard of a home at 4005 Wyoming Ave. when a static spark ignited the makeshift bombs.
The men were enjoying a Fourth of July gathering that Suchomski's relatives described as ``casual, classic family stuff'' when the explosion occurred.
Suchomski suffered second- degree burns to his face, arms and chest, and he also was wounded by shrapnel from debris blown out of the car.
Edleman suffered first- and second-degree burns to his face and hands.
The men were in fair condition at Tampa General Hospital on Thursday night.
The blast sent the car's windshield over the roof of the one-story white brick house, and a sunroof landed upside down near the home's gutter.
Windows on the front side of the house were shattered.
``These young men are lucky to be alive,'' Wade said.
Acetylene is a highly flammable gas often used in welding torches.
Family members were cleaning debris around the home hours after the explosion.
``Something went wrong,'' said Suchomski's father, Matthew Suchomski, 51. ``This type of thing is not supposed to happen on a day like today. Now, every time we're hearing [fireworks], we're having flashbacks.''
Neighbors from as far as two blocks reported windows shaking.
No charges were filed as of Thursday night, a Tampa patrol officer said.
Reporter John Wing can be reached at (813) 259-7800.
Submitted on 07/05/2002
Submitted by:
Anonymous
Reference:
TAMPA TRIBUNE FLORIDA 040502
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