South Jordan demolished a home where the owner, who was arrested after a standoff with police, stored at least 20 pounds of explosives. The home had to be destroyed because not all the explosive material could be safely removed, according to city officials.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) South Jordan tears down a house where an owner kept a stockpile of explosives, as firefighters huddle for a briefing before burning off residual explosives that remained in the basement of the home and could not be safely removed on Tuesday, June 1, 2021.
On July 18 police began investigating Ryan Lynn McManigal after he allegedly texted threats to the owner of a nearby business. According to police, McManigal admitted in texts with an officer that he had weapons at his home, despite the fact that he was legally barred from having them because of a protective order.
Then, on July 24 police arrived at McManigal’s home at 3371 W. Snow Moon Place and, when they arrived, McManigal allegedly fired a gun at officers in an armored vehicle. When he eventually surrendered, police found 20 pounds of triacetone triperoxide, or TATP, and Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide, or MEKP, in the basement. Police found what appeared to be detonation devices in a gift box, a toilet valve with a water-level activated switch and several remote control cars.
According to police, they also found three firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition in the house.
Authorities removed as much of the explosives as possible and detonated the rest after evacuating 600 surrounding homes and 30 businesses — and the explosion was so strong it lifted the house several inches off its foundation.
In November 2020, a man doing repairs at the home suffered critical injuries when a “booby trap bomb” went off.
In March, South Jordan sued McManigal, alleging the house “is and will remain a literal minefield until the structure is demolished.”
On Tuesday, the city did just that. Crews destroyed and removed the home’s roof and walls, and set a “quick burn” fire in the basement to remove any explosives that remained. The foundation will also be removed, and all material will be taken to a “remote part of the landfill and buried,” according to the city.
“We appreciate our residents and their patience as we have worked through the process for taking this house down,” said South Jordan spokeswoman Rachael Van Cleave. “We are all relieved that this house will be gone and that this community can make a fresh start.”
Nearby homeowners were given the choice to leave their homes during the demolition and burn, and “specialized fans” were offered to immediate neighbors to “keep the smoke from the fire out of their homes, said South Jordan Fire Chief Chris Dawson.
“Our residents can be assured that every precaution has been taken to ensure the safety of everyone involved and the neighborhood,” Van Cleave said.
After the house is demolished and the debris removed, McManigal will decide what will become of the property. He is being held in the Utah State Hospital, and face charges that include two counts of attempted aggravated murder and three counts of possession or use of a weapon of mass destruction, first degree felonies; two counts of criminal mischief, third-degree felonies; and three counts of illegal discharge of a firearm, Class B misdemeanors.