'Extreme' gender reveal explosion sparks earthquake fears
Parents of an unborn child sent shock waves through homes more than 30 kilometres away when they let off a gender reveal powder cannon containing nearly 40 kilograms of explosives.
Residents in nearby towns phoned police to report what they believed to be an earthquake, which some claimed caused structural damage to their homes, NBC News reported.
The loud explosion, accompanied by a mass of blue powder, was the result of a family gathering in a quarry in the US state of New Hampshire, according to local police.
When officers arrived at the scene on Tuesday (local time), members of the family conceded they had used 36 kilograms of Tannerite, an explosive used for gun practice and sold over-the-counter.
The individual behind the gender reveal explosion has reportedly been in contact with police and is cooperating with an investigation.
The group had reportedly gained permission to use the quarry for the unorthodox gender reveal, believing it would be the safest place to let off the large volume of explosives.
Police are reportedly investigating several reports of home damage, which could lead to charges being pressed.
Residents feared earthquake
A couple who share a boundary with the quarry told NBC10 Boston the blast had "knocked pictures off our walls".
“We heard this god-awful blast... I’m all up for silliness and what not, but that was extreme," Sara Taglieri told the network.
Her husband said neighbours had told them about cracks that had formed in the foundation of their homes as a result of the explosion.
A woman who lives about three kilometres from the quarry said the tap water in her home had changed colour since the blast, with her family opting not to drink or shower in it until it's resolved.
More than 30 kilometres away, another woman recalled a "deep rumble" that she thought could have been an earthquake.
"I thought for a second that maybe a large dump truck had gone off the road and struck a tree. I also considered that it may have been another minor earthquake," she told New Hampshire Union Leader.
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