BERLIN, Conn. — The video above is from June.
A Berlin man was arrested Friday after a months-long investigation into a large cache of fireworks and explosives in his basement by police following a medical call to the home last February.
Richard Valuk, 47, of Berlin, was charged with Risk of Injury to a Child, Illegal Possession of Explosives, Illegal Procurement/Transport of Explosives, Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree. Valuk was held on a $100,000 bond.
In February, emergency crews were called to the home for a medical incident involving Valuk. At the time they said they saw a large cache of fireworks in the basement. State Police determined the fireworks were considered illegal in Connecticut. Police said Valuk had a valid State of Connecticut Certificate of Competency to Display Fireworks, but did not possess the permit required to legally store the types of items seen by investigators.
In a months-long investigation, Valuk claimed that his truck had been used to transport fireworks from Pennsylvania and some fireworks were left in the truck. He told police that he had placed them in the locked basement.
Investigators said the area was unlocked when they examined it.
Investigators said a fire or explosion in the basement area of Valuk’s home would have "posed a significant threat to human life and property based upon the amount of fireworks in an unprotected environment which lacked fire safety precautions and hazardous materials notifications to first responders in the event of an emergency."
Doug Stewart is a Senior Digital Content Producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dstewart@fox61.com.
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