Police: Smurf stuffed with fireworks caused Angola boom

ANGOLA, Ind. (WANE) - The Angola Police Department said explosives put inside a stuffed Smurf at an intersection in Angola caused a blast heard in several nearby homes.

According to Angola Police Chief Stu Hamblen, there were no injuries or damage as a result of the blast.  Hamblen said a firework placed inside the stuffed Smurf likely caused the blast.

"They found some residue left behind," Hamblen said.  "The powder was commonly found in some fireworks."

The loud boom startled many folks living nearby.

"It's scary when you've got young ones and stuff and you don't know what's going on because you don't know if it was something that was a planned attack on somebody or was meant to hurt somebody," said neighbor Christy Keaton.  "It could have started a fire.  It could have seriously hurt some people.  My main concern was that everybody was alright."

Hamblen believes the explosion was a prank; the investigation remains open.

At least to some extent, Angola police are taking the explosion seriously.  Hamblen urges folks in the area to keep an eye out for copycats.

"If you are to find any dolls, you know anything laying in your yard, give us a call," Hamblen said.  "Don't go near it just in case maybe there's something more going on than just this."

Viewers used Report !t to tell to NewsChannel 15 about the boom that was heard around 6:50 p.m. in the 200 block of Henry Street.

A viewer said the blast was strong enough to shake homes at least two blocks away, but witnesses living across the street from the explosion said that's not true. Some type of odor was also reported on the west end of the street.

Based on the debris left behind on Henry Street in Angola, it appears that the explosives were put inside a stuffed Smurf doll:

Photo courtesy the Angola Police Department.