— A Capshaw man had to have his hand amputated after blowing off four fingers while detonating chemicals used to make a rocket, Sheriff Mike Blakely said.
Billy Dowell Gilbert, 48, of 15349 Menefee Road, legally bought the chemicals needed to make the rocket, a type of firecracker, from the Internet, the sheriff said.
“He will not face any charges because what he bought is not illegal, and he agreed to give up the rest of the chemicals,” Blakely said.
East Limestone Fire Department had been called about 9:25 p.m. to a report of fireworks exploding in a man’s had. Gilbert was mixing chemicals for what he called “flash crackers,” when the explosion occurred, the sheriff said.
He was taken to Huntsville Hospital, where doctors amputated his hand, Blakely said. He was listed in good condition Wednesday, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Sheriff’s officials called the state fire marshal’s office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the state bomb squad.
“They detonated the rest of what he had Tuesday,” the sheriff said.
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