CT man injured when flare device exploded around kids charged after police found illegal fireworks, explosives

A Southington man is facing multiple charges after police reportedly found illegal fireworks and explosives in a garage after he was seriously injured by a flare device that also damaged his multi-family home in June.

On June 23, officers responded to a multi-family home on Vermont Terrace on a report of a person injured by fireworks, according to the Southington Police Department. Officers learned that the homeowner, 49-year-old Peter Demaria, was seriously injured after shooting a “large caliber flare device” while several residents, including children, were present, police said.

Minor damage was also found at the home after the projectile struck it, according to police.

During the investigation, members of the Southington Police and Fire Departments reportedly discovered illegal fireworks and materials used to make fireworks and explosives in a garage beneath the home, police said.

The Southington Fire Department and the Connecticut State Police Fire and Explosive Investigation Unit were used to remediate the hazardous materials, according to police.

An investigation led to multiple search warrants that alleged that Demaria was manufacturing some of the explosives located during the searches, police said. On Sept. 29, Demaria turned himself in to Southington police and was charged with injury of risk of injury to, or impairing the morals of, children, first-degree reckless endangerment, sale, use and possession of prohibited fireworks and manufacture of bombs.

He was released on a $25,000 bond and was given a court appearance date of Oct. 13 at New Britain Superior Court.