Chemicals Discovered Legal, Make For Dangerous Combination
CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (CBS4)- People living near a condemned home in Castle Rock gathered for a meeting on Tuesday night just one day after the bomb squad detonated an explosive device.
Firefighters returned to the home Tuesday to help the residents remove some of their belongings. The family is not allowed to return to the home until a company can be hired to re-mediate what chemicals remain inside.
Residents of more than 30 homes on Prestwick Way were allowed to return home Tuesday morning. They attended a meeting that night for the latest on the investigation with questions about their safety.
"There are no more explosives inside the home, however there are chemicals that are still left in the home," said Castle Rock Police Chief Jack Cauley.
About 20 chemical containers remain in the home, ranging from glass beakers to jugs.
"They were legally-purchased chemicals. Individually they were fine," said Douglas County Sheriff's Office Bomb Squad Lt. Tommy Barrella. "However combined is when it becomes an issue and that's why we were called in the first place."
Bags and bins labeled "Hazardous Materials" remained piled in the driveway on Tuesday evening.
Investigators continue to try to piece together the details of the case.
The investigation began after an officer discovered a small box of suspicious chemicals inside the home of one of two teenagers who had been arrested for an unrelated reason Sunday night.
The officer had gone to the home to notify the boy's parents of his arrest when he spotted the items and requested a hazardous materials team. Agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives joined the investigation.
The teens were arrested after neighbors reported them behaving suspiciously, and they remained in custody Wednesday on charges unrelated to the discovery of the chemicals. Possible charges could be filed on Thursday.
"There are different sizes of chemicals, some are open containers, some are closed containers, some are empty and some are closed. By themselves, they're fine," said Barrella.
The teen's parents continue to cooperate with authorities. Investigators believe the parents knew of the chemicals but didn't know the dangers.
"My hope is, parents pay attention, pay close attention to what kids are dabbling in and what they're learning about and request that they make for this, that and the other," said Douglas County District Attorney George Brauchler.
Brauchler said he doesn't believe this case has reached a high enough level to charge the teen as an adult. He said for juveniles, the law is meant for rehabilitation and not punishment.
