LIBERTY, Ohio - One of the two adults injured in the Saturday night house in Liberty Township has died, according to the head of the Youngstown Bomb Squad, YPD Lieutenant Mohammad Awad. The other adult remains in critical condition, as well as a 4-year-old child. 

Liberty Chief of Police Toby Meloro said the name of the man who died in the explosion was 34-year-old Justin Braun.

The blast happened around 9:30 p.m. Saturday on East Montrose Street. Liberty Fire Chief Douglas Theobald said emergency crews arrived to find the home already destroyed. On Monday, Chief Theobald told 21 News that damage has made the home unsafe for habitation, and he'll recommend that it be demolished.

That should take place in the next few days. 

Lt. Awad says that the explosions are believed to have been caused by someone making homemade explosives that "way exceeds anything you can get commercially." The Ohio Fire Marshal and ATF are investigating the cause of the blast. 

Awad added that the explosive powder they suspect was being used "is volatile and sensitive, and is many times the explosive powder used at accidents like these."

Theobald also expressed how dangerous the explosives were.

"There's such great risk, this stuff was considered so unstable, just a mere brush of your shirt against a table or something could generate static electricity and set it off," Theobald said.

Liberty police tell 21 News that this home had a previous complaint about fireworks on May 7.

“One of the officers arrived on scene, and the house had exploded,” Theobald said. “There were three victims transported to the hospital. Right now, it’s just a very initial investigation. It appears there possibly were some illegal fireworks involved.”

Theobald added that he’s never seen fireworks cause an explosion of this size and that the injuries were severe. “They had major burns throughout their body, others had significant blast injuries, these would be injuries that soldiers would receive around ammunition, very critical trauma to the body and heads," Theobald said. "Usually it’s another mechanical failure or appliance or something like that,” he said. “But this is a pretty significant explosion for fireworks. Again, reminds people… leave the fireworks to the professionals,” he said. 

The ATF and the Youngstown Bomb Squad responded Saturday night and returned Sunday to continue examining the scene. The State Fire Marshal is also involved in the investigation.

The fire chief warns against creating your own explosives or modifying fireworks in any way. He urges the public to leave it to the professionals.

"Thankfully we don't see these stories very often, when we do they're always catastrophic. It's not a chance you wanna take, leave the professional fireworks to the professionals," Theobald said.

The explosion shook nearby homes and left many residents stunned.

“We expected fireworks—that’s common around here,” said neighbor Dan Paul, who lives nearby. “But then there was a double explosion that shook the house—the windows—scared the crap out of everybody.”

Sheridan Tubbs, who lives on Staunton, said she was watching a movie in bed when the blast hit. “I almost fell out the bed, actually… then sirens, ambulance, Liberty police came past and tripped my cameras,” she said. “It was two loud bangs and then dead silence. I just hope these people recover.”

Residents were temporarily evacuated from nearby homes as a precaution but have since been allowed to return.

The investigation remains ongoing and it will be up to the Ohio Fire Marshal to determine if any charges could be filed

21 News will continue to provide updates on air and online as more information becomes available. Stay connected with the 21 News app for the latest updates.