Preacherman
Member
Well, this isn't a gun, but I think it can be legitimately considered a "fire" arm! 
From the San Diego Union-Tribune (http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20031218-9999_7m18bugs.html):
19 bug bomb foggers blast a house apart
Pilot light on a wall heater may have ignited them; no one hurt in explosion
By Joe Hughes
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
December 18, 2003
A family living in a house infested with cockroaches and rats set off 19 "bug bomb" foggers in their 470-square-foot City Heights home Wednesday, causing an explosion that blew the building apart.
It seemed like a good idea at the time.
A family living in a house infested with cockroaches and rats set off 19 "bug bomb" foggers in their 470-square-foot City Heights home yesterday, causing an explosion that virtually blew the building apart and sent Christmas decorations into the street, police said.
The family had just left the rental when the house blew about 8:45 a.m. No one was injured, although a pregnant woman who lives next door was taken to the hospital by her husband as a precaution, authorities said.
"We are very lucky someone wasn't killed," said Capt. Steve Salaz of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
Shards of glass and nails from torn walls were strewn about. The back door of the house was blown off its hinges. Gaping holes were left in the ceiling. Insulation was spread throughout like confetti.
Authorities said they believe the Euclid Avenue residence may have to be entirely rebuilt. Damage was estimated in excess of $150,000.
Investigators believe the bug bombs were ignited by a pilot light on a wall heater.
Aurelia Oliveras said she had just left the house and was in the back yard with her husband and 2-year-old daughter when the blast occurred.
"We had so many cockroaches and rats inside. That's why we did it," she said. Oliveras said the family members were walking to their car, parked to the rear of the house, when they heard and felt the blast.
"We ran for cover. Things were flying everywhere."
A woman next door was awakened suddenly when the south wall of the Oliveras home came crashing into the side of her house. She was not hurt.
The explosion was so loud that it shook Rangel's Market across the street.
Griselda Rangel, who was inside the business, didn't know what to think. She raced outside, saw smoke billowing into the air and debris flying about. She called 911 and then went to check on the residents.
"I ran over to see if the people were OK," she said. "They were in the house trying to fix things. There still was a lot of smoke and fumes."
The first firefighters to arrive didn't know what had happened. An early dispatch advised that a car may have crashed into the house.
"When we got here, we saw wires down and a collapsed wall," said fire engineer J.S. Cheek.
Utility workers shut off gas and power in the immediate area and police detoured traffic.
The incident prompted officials to warn residents to take proper precautions when using the bombs.
All appliances should be shut off, including the pilot light on gas heaters. And one can is more than enough for a 600-square-foot home. Similar warnings are printed on the canisters, but the family is not fluent in English.
This was not the first time an abundance of bug bombs caused an explosion in the area.
In April 2001, 18 bug bombs and a pilot light in a heater combined to blow up a City Heights apartment. No one was injured, and several cockroaches survived the blast.
The Red Cross was attempting to find shelter for the Oliveras family yesterday.
From the San Diego Union-Tribune (http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20031218-9999_7m18bugs.html):
19 bug bomb foggers blast a house apart
Pilot light on a wall heater may have ignited them; no one hurt in explosion
By Joe Hughes
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
December 18, 2003
A family living in a house infested with cockroaches and rats set off 19 "bug bomb" foggers in their 470-square-foot City Heights home Wednesday, causing an explosion that blew the building apart.
It seemed like a good idea at the time.
A family living in a house infested with cockroaches and rats set off 19 "bug bomb" foggers in their 470-square-foot City Heights home yesterday, causing an explosion that virtually blew the building apart and sent Christmas decorations into the street, police said.
The family had just left the rental when the house blew about 8:45 a.m. No one was injured, although a pregnant woman who lives next door was taken to the hospital by her husband as a precaution, authorities said.
"We are very lucky someone wasn't killed," said Capt. Steve Salaz of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
Shards of glass and nails from torn walls were strewn about. The back door of the house was blown off its hinges. Gaping holes were left in the ceiling. Insulation was spread throughout like confetti.
Authorities said they believe the Euclid Avenue residence may have to be entirely rebuilt. Damage was estimated in excess of $150,000.
Investigators believe the bug bombs were ignited by a pilot light on a wall heater.
Aurelia Oliveras said she had just left the house and was in the back yard with her husband and 2-year-old daughter when the blast occurred.
"We had so many cockroaches and rats inside. That's why we did it," she said. Oliveras said the family members were walking to their car, parked to the rear of the house, when they heard and felt the blast.
"We ran for cover. Things were flying everywhere."
A woman next door was awakened suddenly when the south wall of the Oliveras home came crashing into the side of her house. She was not hurt.
The explosion was so loud that it shook Rangel's Market across the street.
Griselda Rangel, who was inside the business, didn't know what to think. She raced outside, saw smoke billowing into the air and debris flying about. She called 911 and then went to check on the residents.
"I ran over to see if the people were OK," she said. "They were in the house trying to fix things. There still was a lot of smoke and fumes."
The first firefighters to arrive didn't know what had happened. An early dispatch advised that a car may have crashed into the house.
"When we got here, we saw wires down and a collapsed wall," said fire engineer J.S. Cheek.
Utility workers shut off gas and power in the immediate area and police detoured traffic.
The incident prompted officials to warn residents to take proper precautions when using the bombs.
All appliances should be shut off, including the pilot light on gas heaters. And one can is more than enough for a 600-square-foot home. Similar warnings are printed on the canisters, but the family is not fluent in English.
This was not the first time an abundance of bug bombs caused an explosion in the area.
In April 2001, 18 bug bombs and a pilot light in a heater combined to blow up a City Heights apartment. No one was injured, and several cockroaches survived the blast.
The Red Cross was attempting to find shelter for the Oliveras family yesterday.
