A Schuylkill County man has been charged with arson and other offenses after he allegedly set off a pipe bomb outside a home and seriously injured himself in the process.
According to court documents, just before midnight on July 4, police in Tamaqua say they were dispatched to a Mundy’s Pub in the 200 block of Cedar St. in the borough for a reported pipe bomb explosion and a man who’d suffered a leg injury.
Police say they arrived on the scene and immediately provided medical care for the victim of the explosion, Adam Basham, 37, of Tamaqua. A large section of flesh had been ripped from Basham’s leg and he suffered severe hemmorhaging, police say. Basham was airlifted to St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem for treatment of his injuries.
Later during their investigation, police say they learned that it was Basham who had set off the explosive device that caused his injuries.
Police say interviews with Basham and other witnesses revealed that he carried a steel cigarette receptacle located at the entrance to Mundy’s Pub to the street in front of a home at 250 Cedar St.
Basham then allegedly placed a mortar round inside the receptacle and it detonated, creating a loud explosion and sending shrapnel across a 20-foot radius. The explosion allegedly caused about $500 in damage to a nearby home, police say.
A six-inch by four-inch piece of shrapnel was reportedly removed from Basham’s leg at the hospital.
At the scene, police say they were able to follow a blood trail from outside that Cedar St. home back to Mundy’s Pub, where they found Basham.
On Monday, police filed felony charges of arson, reckless exploding, and risking catastrophe against Basham. He’s also been charged with a misdemeanor count of criminal mischief.
Subscribe to Coal Region Canary
Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!Support Coal Region Canary
Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...