NEWPORT, New Hampshire USA — State and federal officials are investigating three large explosions from a trailer Thursday afternoon, where smoke grenades are made, that sent one man to the hospital with severe burns.

Scott Bowlan, 44, of 2 Iron Way in Newport was flown to Massachusetts General Hospital by DHART helicopter shortly after the bedroom in his trailer exploded at about 12:45 p.m. Bowlan owns and operates B.A.R. Industries, a maker of pyrotechnic smoke devices, from his home.

"It looked like his face was raw and his shirt was hanging off him like it had melted," neighbor Dorothy Cusanelli said.

Bowlan's condition was unknown at press time.

Harold Alto, who was in the trailer at the time, was treated by ambulance personnel at the scene.

Linda Couitt, who lives in a trailer just 20 yards away from where the explosions tore open the back half of the trailer, said she was in her home at the time when she heard the explosion.

"I heard three big bangs and I called the police as soon as I heard it," Couitt said. " I was walking down my hallway when I heard it and when I looked out the window I saw flames."

Newport Police Chief David Hoyt said he notified the state fire marshal, explosive disposal unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

"It's because of the history we have with this individual," Hoyt said, but declined to elaborate.

The smoke devices made by Bowlan are used in tactical training, aviation and rocket tracking smoke devices. B.A.R also manufactures solid rocket propellants and engines for composite model rockets and experimental rockets.

The smoke devices, or smoke bombs, are similar to the walnut-size type used for 4th of July celebrations, but on a much larger scale. The military uses devices of this type to mark drop zones or as a means of camouflage. Civilians use the devices during paintball tournaments or as part of pyrotechnic shows.

There are two types of smoke devices - flameless, like the ones manufactured by Bowlan, and hot smoke grenades, which use a flame to generate the smoke.

Flameless smoke grenades are usually made from a mixture of colored dye, lactose and potassium chlorate packed in a cylinder made of steel or plastic. They are usually ignited remotely using up to 9-volts of power that initiates an exothermic chemical reaction.

"He was always having stuff delivered and shipped out of there," Couitt said.

Police would not comment if the explosive material Bowlan sold was the cause of the explosion and would only say the matter was under investigation.

Cusanelli, who has lived in the park for 16 years and has a trailer across the street from Bowlan, also said she heard three explosions before the trailer went up in flames.

"I heard two big explosions and then a humungous one," Cusanelli said. " I grabbed my phone and called 911 on my way out the door. I saw Harold coming down the driveway and then he ran back. The kid (Scott Bowlan) had gotten out by then."

Neighbors said they had no idea what type of business Bowlan was running out of the trailer. Couitt said she knew Bowlan had a computer and worked from home.

"It's just one of those things you never expect," Couitt said.

A spokesperson from the Newport Planning Office said there are no permits on file that would allow Bowlan to operate a pyrotechnic manufacturing company out of his home, which is in the middle of a residential neighborhood.

According to a company profile posted on the Web, B.A.R. Industries posts annual sales of $50,000 and has customers worldwide including in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Oceania, Europe, Africa, North America and South America.

Bowlan's Web site, flamelesssmokegrenades.com, which he uses to sell his products, has been shut down.

This is not the first time an explosion has been associated with Bowlan.

According to an Associated Press story, a smoke bomb manufactured by Bowlan unexpectedly detonated April 5 injuring two men at a paintball facility in Pinckney, Mich., and was caught on video tape.

Jeffrey Lemke, 22, and Matthew Steuer, 41 were airlifted to the University of Michigan Medical Center and treated for shrapnel injuries to their eyes, face and upper bodies. The two men have since been released.

The device was purchased online from Bowlan and was made from a two-foot piece of PVC pipe. A second device, like the one that exploded, was seized by the Michigan State Bomb Squad and detonated in a gravel pit.

No charges are planned in the case, but a report of the incident was turned over to the ATF.

Bowlan is also the owner of another company, Bowlan World Trade Company, which is also located at his home.

The trade company, established in 1991, advertises as an importer of general merchandise, but specializes in locating commodities for overseas customers including grain, wood products and seafood.

The company also provides products such as smoke signal grenades and signal cartridges.

Authorities are expected to release further details as the investigation into the explosion continues.

Copyright © 2008, Eagle Times.

06-19-2008 11:25 PM  #1
landru Certified Level Two   Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 63	Re: Explosion rocks trailer park, injuring man Hmm. Chlorates... Nuff said.

06-20-2008 03:24 PM  #2
denverdoc Hall Monitor   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 3077	Re: Explosion rocks trailer park, injuring man Someone should tell Mr Bowlan if he's gonna be making things that go boom in a trailer park, there's a lot more money in meth.

06-20-2008 07:00 PM  #3
SpartaChris Certified Certifiable   Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 138	Re: Explosion rocks trailer park, injuring man Quote: Someone should tell Mr Bowlan if he's gonna be making things that go boom in a trailer park, there's a lot more money in meth. BAHAHAHAHA!!! That's awesome.

06-20-2008 08:52 PM  #4
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1320	Re: Explosion rocks trailer park, injuring man Quote: According to an Associated Press story, a smoke bomb manufactured by Bowlan unexpectedly detonated April 5 injuring two men at a paintball facility in Pinckney, Mich., and was caught on video tape. Jeffrey Lemke, 22, and Matthew Steuer, 41 were airlifted to the University of Michigan Medical Center and treated for shrapnel injuries to their eyes, face and upper bodies. The two men have since been released. The device was purchased online from Bowlan and was made from a two-foot piece of PVC pipe. A second device, like the one that exploded, was seized by the Michigan State Bomb Squad and detonated in a gravel pit. "detonated"? My experience with authorities is they call model rocket ignition systems "detonators" and call anything that breakes open a "detonation" because it has special legal meaning that triggers offset fees for the local authorities. "shrapnel" from PVC pipe slow burning, NON-PYROTECHNIC smoke cartridges? He had an accident, granted, and it was a residential area JUST LIKE AEROTECH'S ACCIDENT, but his product actually seems safer than rocket motors in actual operation. linky: http://web.archive.org/web...egrenades.com/index.html Just Web Jerry!

06-21-2008 01:13 AM  #5
heada Certifiable   Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 1115	Re: Explosion rocks trailer park, injuring man Quote: "shrapnel" from PVC pipe slow burning, NON-PYROTECHNIC smoke cartridges? If the slow burning smoke cartridge over pressurized the PVC pipe somehow, the pipe could rupture and the resulting high velocity fragments of PVC pipe could be considered shrapnel by the general public since they don't know the scientific definition would be just "PVC fragments" The original News article was written for the general public, not for "rocket scientists" like us. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrapnel Also, PVC doesn't show up on x-rays so if I had my choice, I'd always use aluminum. -Aaron

06-21-2008 07:47 AM  #6
denverdoc Hall Monitor   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 3077	Re: Explosion rocks trailer park, injuring man Kidding aside here, I have been on the lookout for some smoke cannisters--the ones I bought from R/C Flight (originally intended for HVAC use) are disappointing. I want big smoke that can be used to help locate a rocket during decent.

06-21-2008 12:44 PM  #7
ddmobley Administrator   Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 4157	Re: Explosion rocks trailer park, injuring man Maybe this guy could help, I am sure he could use the money for an attorney.

06-21-2008 04:29 PM  #8
denverdoc Hall Monitor   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 3077	Re: Explosion rocks trailer park, injuring man Well I was hoping Jerry could comment on the smoke cartridge reverse core technology as to whether it really works. Looks like the site is down for now, and maybe the count once the BATFE sinks their collective teeth into him. So still wondering where's the best place to get big smoke?

06-21-2008 05:45 PM  #9
Porthos II Certified Level Three   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 41	Re: Explosion rocks trailer park, injuring man Quote: He had an accident, granted, and it was a residential area JUST LIKE AEROTECH'S ACCIDENT, but his product actually seems safer than rocket motors in actual operation. Just Web Jerry! Jerry, Aerotech was located in an industrial park with a cabinet maker and a couple of automotive repair facilities in the same building that burnt down. Wasn't it a total of six shops that burnt down? I think it is appalling that you would compare a person making smoke bombs in his trailer in a trailer park, without permits or licenses, in a residential zone to Aerotech. But I guess that just Jerry….. Erik

06-21-2008 05:48 PM  #10
Porthos II Certified Level Three   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 41	Re: Explosion rocks trailer park, injuring man Quote: Kidding aside here, I have been on the lookout for some smoke cannisters--the ones I bought from R/C Flight (originally intended for HVAC use) are disappointing. I want big smoke that can be used to help locate a rocket during decent. Try skydiving smoke - http://paragear.com/templa...p=504&level=2&parent=203 Erik

06-21-2008 08:03 PM  #11
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1320	Re: Explosion rocks trailer park, injuring man Let's compare. Smoke guy uses "non-pyrotechnic" "sugar" and makes them in his residential trailer for the police state for years and has an accident. I agree he should have at least located on a slice of land. But he had full ATF, DOT and other authority interaction. I suspect that is why it was specifically said he will not be charged. Aerotech arrived to nearly no neighbors, but as they lasted time measured in decades, stuff was built up around them. AT made PYROTECHNIC devices and specialized explosives. Different animal. They did have a trailer park right accross the street and a set of apartments on the end of the alley opposite their unit. That was a decision of the planning commission, not Gary. Gary was nearly charged even though his was a clear accident and the primary fire was caused by Clark County itself. He got away from a big pissing match. Also that incident had substantially more loss of property (Clark County) and life (AT) than smokey trailer guy. I think if these sugar cartridges are like the sugar motors I have seen used, they are using some sort of all surface burner rather than a centrally perforated core to reduce the pressure vs time and eliminate burning (decomposing) rate exponent runaway. Jerry

06-21-2008 10:55 PM  #12
denverdoc Hall Monitor   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 3077	Re: Explosion rocks trailer park, injuring man Apparently he was also using flash powder. Looks like he may not make it--in critical condition at Mass general. http://www.theunionleader....c-47ce-8d3c-7530ccd9baa9 And there is the confirmed report of the michigan pair who were injured when one of his grenades blew up, so something was "pyrotechnic"

06-22-2008 12:12 AM  #13
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1320	Re: Explosion rocks trailer park, injuring man Quote: Apparently he was also using flash powder. Looks like he may not make it--in critical condition at Mass general. http://www.theunionleader....c-47ce-8d3c-7530ccd9baa9 And there is the confirmed report of the michigan pair who were injured when one of his grenades blew up, so something was "pyrotechnic" If you look at his website carefully, his "new" product was a new style of igniter. Maybe that is what bit him, not the primary product which can be made in large quantity on an exempt basis pretty much anywhere. Just Jerry

06-22-2008 12:18 AM  #14
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1320	Re: Explosion rocks trailer park, injuring man Quote: And there is the confirmed report of the Michigan pair who were injured when one of his grenades blew up, so something was "pyrotechnic" If you read the website carefully the non-pyrotechnic composition decomposes at around 120-140 degrees F and the outside of the casing maintains 72-78 degrees F during a 60 second operation. If a 2" x 18" PVC pipe smoke charge were "handled roughly" during a paint ball game I can see how a 400 psi low temperature PVC pipe device could fragment to some degree. But "injuries" is not the same as "serious injuries". Just Jerry

06-22-2008 08:18 PM  #15
denverdoc Hall Monitor   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 3077	Re: Explosion rocks trailer park, injuring man Heres a vid--doesn't appear in this case to be roughly handled, but then again the explosion seems staged. http://videos.mlive.com/an...oke_grenade_explosi.html

06-22-2008 09:45 PM  #16
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1320	Re: Explosion rocks trailer park, injuring man That's about the most pixelated video I have ever seen, but here are the TWO frames of the event itself. The closest guy is engulfed by the second frame.

06-22-2008 10:00 PM  #17
denverdoc Hall Monitor   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 3077	Re: Explosion rocks trailer park, injuring man Boy I can't make heads or tails out of the stills--whats your conclusion, Jerry?

06-23-2008 12:08 AM  #18
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1320	Re: Explosion rocks trailer park, injuring man I don't think a "conclusion" can be made from the video. But if this is indeed a video of the guys "rushed to a hospital" after setting off this device, one wonders a few things. 1. This is a device DESIGNED and USED BY AUTHORITIES for proximate use, ie HANDHELD. Successfully for years no less. 2. Here are a couple of paintballers who have one and for whatever reason have decided to set it off REMOTELY by initiating it and steping away. 3. Once it already starts up normally they watch it for a few seconds, then APPROACH IT, THEN something goes wrong and it emits most of its smoke all at once instead over time. 4. There is a "rapid release" of (400 psi) pressure and effluent. 5. The person closest and engulfed in the smoke is what we can presume by the crappy pixelated video, about 1/15 second or so. 6. He was not "blown back" by an "explosion". He stood there. 7. The other guy was seemingly shocked and the camera guy has no balls. So without blathering on incessently, I simply ask. 1. If this was designed for proximate use why did they feel remote operation was "justified"? Was the device somehow damaged or exposed to some shock before the "test"? 2. If someone was indeed injured, what are the actual details of that? 3. What unit was it? 4. Is there some record somewhere of the likelihood of this, or some experience base to draw on? 5. What is the nature and background of the testers themselves and are they likely to "modify" the device before this usage? I do not think I can actually answer these questions, but based on my experience watching ATF, CPSC, DOT, media outlets, and others, this has to have a heavy layer of BS associated with it. Good luck filtering it. I hope I have offered directions for further investigation and analysis. The smoke devices have EX numbers, the company has a license number and tax ID, and they talk about ATF compliance methodology on their web site including assistance obtaining it. I am thus disinclined to look toward the company for bad guys. That said he should certainly relocate to an industrial style building on a spot of land. Just Jerry

06-23-2008 12:28 AM  #19
denverdoc Hall Monitor   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 3077	Re: Explosion rocks trailer park, injuring man I found a more complete report from the same source: http://blog.mlive.com/anna..._at_pinckney_paintb.html Looks like the injuries were relatively minor. When I watch the vid, it seems that the explosion starts front and left of the device itself. But maybe thats where a part is thrown....

09-11-2008 01:18 AM  #20
bowlan New Member   Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 4	Re: Explosion rocks trailer park, injuring man my name is scott bowlan i was in the fire and i can say there was no explosion. what actually happened was a fire started in the ceiling light socket. the suspended ceiling was burning. i opened the door and the burning ceiling fell igniting 8 pounds of magnesium flare compound. the room was 8 feet by 10 feet. the flame front was 12 feet. i was in the fire that was 1500 degrees for around 30 seconds. this short time was enough to cause 3rd degree burns to 40 percent of my upper body. i was at mass general for just 6 weeks and now i am back home. dont beleive what you here. there was no nabors any were around to see or hear any thing at the time this happened. we actually are the ones who called the fire department not the nabor. pyrotechnics is a business i have been in for over 10 years and i am considered a profesional pyrotechnition. i have developted flame-less m-18 smoke grenades for the u.s.navy and also flame-less cold casing smoke cartridges for the u,s,air force and also several u.s.and uk skydiving teams. as for the nabor's story it was not true. the nabor was trying to be noticed on channel 9 news. we actually had sold b.a.r.industries electric ignition color smoke cartride design some 7 months ago to a skydiving team in oh. there was never any bpyrotechnic manufacturing done at the trailer, we had the flare compound stored in the back room as it was safe and not a hazard. this was stored simply because it was not sold to the skydiving team. the A.T.did come by and ask what had happened. there bwere no nexplosives or smoke compounds on bsite and there was never any charges filed. i have been in pyrotechnics development for over 10 years and considered an expert in pyrotechnics. dont beleive any accedent report or gosap until you know the truth. thanks for your time in reding this. sincerely, scott bowlan

09-11-2008 01:21 AM  #21
bowlan New Member   Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 4	Re: Explosion rocks trailer park, injuring man you need smoke to locate rockets decent. your in luck as i still manufacture tracking smoke for just that use. contact me at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

09-11-2008 01:27 AM  #22
bowlan New Member   Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 4	why the smoker exploded was because the core burn smoke grenade became damadged during ether shipping or by the customer. the smoke canister completed about half the burn when chunks suddenly shot out the exhaust port that was one inch diamiter. this blockadge caused the canister to build back pressure and explode. the customers never followed the included instruction that stated stay back 100 feet for first test. hi guys here is the truth. my name is scott bowlan owner of b.a.r.industries. our shop is blocated 20n miles away from the trailer park and is in a industrial zone. we never manufactured or sold smoke bfrom the trailer bpark. actually the new igniters are considered the safest smoke igniter ever developted. this new ignition does not use pyrogen. the fire was do bto bmagnesium flare compound that was stored. the fire started in the ceiling overhead light fixture. the ceiling fell after opening the door to the storage room. that in turn ignited the flare compound that burned me. our web site flame less smoke grenades is down because we sold out company 7 months ago. and there is no charges by the A.T.F.or any other law enforcement agency. you are correct. the videobn was staged. they tryed suing b.a.r.industries for 70000 but had no luck. no bwe were not making flash powder. that story is also wrong. how ever i was in mass general for 6 weeks and am now out. sincerely, scott bowlan

09-11-2008 07:27 PM  #23
jderimig Certified Level Two   Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 93	Re: Explosion rocks trailer park, injuring man Quote: you need smoke to locate rockets decent. your in luck as i still manufacture tracking smoke for just that use. contact me at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it Scott, REALLY GLAD that you are ok and recovered. Myself, I'll pass on the smoke charges for now....... Also, not sure they are allowed under our safety codes. --jd

09-16-2008 07:26 PM  #24
bowlan New Member   Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 4	Re: Explosion rocks trailer park, injuring man thanks. yes i am OK its to bad that every story the papers have listed are all wrong. there is no way to correct the stories so they will have to fun out in time. we have been manufacturing pyrotechnic smoke for evaition,skydiving,paintball and law enforcement and have designed a flame-less M-18 smoke grenade for the u.s.navy inland search/rescue opperations and a cold casing skydiving cartridge for the u.s.air force skydiving teams but for rocket tracking smoke we have had that design on hold for two years as we never thought there was a market for 90 second slow burn smoke. at any rate this is white smoke so it wont die stain. they do not contain ignition compounds. they average at least 90 seconds. they are shipped under the following label; "NOVELTIES NOT REGULATED, EXCEPT WHEN TRANSPORTED BY AIR" ,when in conformance with APA standard 87-1. model rocket tracking smoke just email me if you should ever need them and we can send some test samples. thanks again for reading what i have posted.