A man experimenting with flammable materials set off an explosion that caused serious burns to himself and three juveniles, officers confirmed today.
Moreno Valley Police Officers and firefighters from Cal Fire responded just after 2 p.m. on Monday Jan. 21 to a home in the 10000 block of Via Pastoral in Moreno Valley and found four people suffering from moderate burns.
Monrovia resident Joseph Patricko, 43 remains hospitalized with severe burns at a burn center while the three juveniles were treated and released.
According to Riverside County Sheriff’s reports, Patricko was playing around with numerous flammable substances when the explosion occurred, Sgt. Epps reported.
Patricko will likely be charged with child endangerment and illegally disposing of hazardous materials.
Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is urged to contact Deputy Rafael Cuevas with the Hazardous Device Team at 951-955-1700.
Stephanie D. Schulte is a writer/photographer with SWRNN. She can be reached at stephanie.schulte@swrnn.com.
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