FAIRMOUNT TOWNSHIP -- A man is dead after an explosion in Luzerne County.
State police say John Brantley, 37, was found dead behind his home on Bethel Road in Fairmount Township near Shickshinny after a violent explosion.
The explosion happened Monday. State police and other investigators were there then, but it wasn’t until late Tuesday morning that Brantley’s body was discovered.
"It was a loud bang, almost like a bomb going off. It shook the whole house. I came down into my store, went outside, looked around, went into my attic,” said Leslie Cross of Fairmount Township.
That explosion broke windows on nearby homes.
The coroner has ruled the death accidental from multiple traumatic injuries resulting from an explosive device.
Investigators say Brantley had "an apparent homemade device,” but they did not say exactly what kind of device.
"It's sad especially that he wasn't found for a day later and he has a daughter. It breaks my heart, especially for her,” said one neighbor who did not want to be identified.
"He and his daughter were in here the other day and it's very sad,” said Cross.
Neighbors call what happened a tragedy, but they say they are very grateful no one else was hurt or killed.
"I don't know how much he used or what he did. I mean he could have killed someone else, you know?” said another neighbor.
The investigation continues.
