Chestnuthill investigates source of explosions

Chestnuthill Township supervisors are investigating the source of explosions heard and felt in the area, including one at 7:14 p.m. Tuesday as the board was discussing the incidents.

Residents of Chestnuthill Township have been reporting hearing and feeling explosions on and off for the past 18 months.

The township supervisors have determined that the explosions are from the use of binary targets, also known as explosive targets. The product is often sold under the brand name Tannerite.

The subject of the explosions was raised by a number of residents at the meeting.

There were reports of windows rattling, knickknacks falling off shelves and houses shaking as a result of the explosions.

And as if it were prearranged, just as Chairman Chuck Gould was addressing the residents about the matter, an explosion occurred at 7:14 p.m.

“Well you just heard that,” said Vice Chairman Chris Eckert.

Within minutes the phones could be heard ringing in the front office of the township building. Eckert’s phone was pinging as residents sent messages reporting yet another thunderous retort.

Gary Hoffman, communications director for the county communications center, confirmed that the 911 operators were receiving calls as well. The center put out a call to the state police at Fern Ridge to investigate the explosion.

Eckert said that Matt Neeb, township planning and zoning director, has been working with the Pennsylvania State Police to determine who has been causing the explosions.

He said they have narrowed it down to the area around Silver Valley Road.

Tannerite is legal to sell and to possess in the United States. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives does not define binary explosives as an explosive because the two substances when separated are not listed on the List of Explosive Materials as defined by the agency.

Eckert said that the township has done some research and determined that people can only purchase 50 pounds of Tannerite at a time and that only 1 pound should be used per target.

“I suspect that what I heard on Sunday may have been more than 1 pound,” Eckert said. “We have seen reports of people hearing the explosions from as far away as Sciota.”

Supervisor Harry Miller said that in the past when the township was made aware of a resident using binary targets they were contacted and the problem was solved just by talking.

“It might be time to look into maybe doing something to regulate it,” Miller said. “We will have to talk to the solicitor to see if there is anything we can do.”

Solicitor Tim McManus wasn’t ready to respond to Miller without further research into the subject, but even McManus was curious about the use of Tannerite.

“Why do people use it?” McManus asked. “What is the purpose?”

The general consensus appears to be that it is much like a very loud firecracker.

Eckert said a number of rather disturbing videos are posted on YouTube of people blowing up things like lawn mowers and refrigerators using Tannerite.

A single 1-pound Tannerite exploding target sells for $6.90 at Dunkelberger’s in Brodheadsville.

The company’s website says that the targets are “Legal for use as shot indicators only and away from populated areas.”