Texas seems to be experiencing a bizarre trend of house explosions, and Austin is at the center of it. Not long ago, a home in the area mysteriously exploded on its own. This time, the situation escalated when the Austin Police Department received a call about a possible explosive device inside a South Austin home. Taking no chances, Texas authorities brought in a Bomb Squad to investigate. After evaluating the threat, they determined that the safest option was to carry out a controlled detonation on-site. Nearby residents were evacuated, and multiple safety measures were implemented to ensure no one was harmed.
Thanks to the Bomb Squad’s expertise, the explosion was successfully contained. The blast caused major damage to the house where the device was found, while only slightly affecting a neighboring home. With the threat eliminated, police continued their investigation and arrested 66-year-old Steven Blake Aldrich. Aldrich has a history with explosives, having previously served time for bomb-related offenses. After his release, he seemed to pick up right where he left off, once again facing serious trouble over explosive materials.
You might remember the earlier explosion in North Austin and wonder if it’s tied to this latest incident. Fortunately, authorities have confirmed there’s no connection between the two. Police have reassured the public that there isn’t a bomb-wielding maniac on the loose and that the cases are entirely unrelated. That hasn’t stopped Redditors from poking fun at the bizarre coincidence of two house explosions happening so close together. “It’s house explosion season,” one user joked.
Others were more curious about the homeowner and the condition of the house. Although Aldrich had been living there, police confirmed they have no plans to arrest the property owner who allowed him to stay. Given the extent of the damage, the homeowner will likely have to turn to their insurance company for help with repairs. However, not everyone is optimistic about the outcome. One user pointed out, “Not likely. Damage caused by government actions is normally excluded.”
Some people questioned why police didn’t move the car parked closest to the blast site. If a bomb was going to destroy the house anyway, it seemed logical to at least save the vehicle and avoid extra costs. However, one Redditor offered a possible explanation: “Armchair bomb squad commander take here, but I imagine they focus on evacuating everyone first. Any property damage from the detonation is probably considered acceptable compared to the risk of someone getting hurt. Who cares if the truck gets damaged versus the explosive going off while you’re trying to retrieve material stuff?”
