PORT ANGELES, Washington USA — A local internist was charged Monday with illegal possession of explosives in a September blast at his home.

Dr. David Bihler is to appear in court Jan. 28 in Port Angles to answer the charge. His lawyer says Bihler will plead innocent.

The Sep. 1 blast injured Bihler and an acquaintance and broke windows in his office and garage. Police initially suspected the explosion occurred as Bihler, an avid model rocket builder, mixed chemicals to make rocket fuel. According to charging papers, Bihler combined potassium perchlorate and aluminum powder to produce flash powder. The blast from 4 ounces of this flash powder mix is equivalent to one stick of dynamite, the charging papers said.

Investigators said they interviewed amateur rocketeers, who said they knew of no reason to use flash powder in model rocketry. Black powder is more common.

Bihler's attorney, Seattle lawyer David Allen, said the explosives were not illegal.

"He is a hobbyist who had an unfortunate accident," Allen said. The explosion in Bihler's office parking lot occurred in a residential neighborhood a block south of Olympic Memorial Hospital and a block north of busy Front Street. Bihler was hospitalized for facial burns and a broken foot.

The explosion was heard throughout the city and sprayed nearby vehicles with debris. 

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