News Release from: Salem Police Dept.
> INVESTIGATION INTO EXPLOSION AT SALEM RESIDENCE CONTINUES
> Posted: June 18th, 2009 11:45 AM
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> The investigation into the explosion and injury of a Salem man at a northeast Salem residence is continuing.
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> Salem Police and Fire were called to 1095 Norway St NE at about 6:55 pm on June 17th on a report of an injured person. 42-year old Patrick Hibler was apparently attempting to manufacture some type of explosive material in the residence when it detonated, seriously injuring him in several parts of his body. He was transported to Salem Hospital and later transferred to Emmanuel Hospital in Portland.
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> Hibler was able to make it out of his residence after the explosion and seek assistance from neighbors, who called 911. The Salem Police Department Hazardous Device Team (Bomb Squad) responded to the scene and did an initial check and assessment of the explosive material and was able to secure the residence until further resources could be assembled and the material could be addressed safely during daylight hours.
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> The initial assessment of the residence led investigators to believe that a substantial amount of explosive material may still be in the residence. The Salem Police Hazardous Device Team is being assisted by Bomb Squads from the Portland Police Bureau, Oregon State Police and Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms in this operation, and the agencies will be working in cooperation to remove the hazardous materials safely from the residence and dispose of it appropriately.
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> The material can be potentially volatile in nature when it is being moved and/or manipulated, and limited evacuations are being planned at this time for residents in the immediate area. This could be a lengthy operation, as it is unknown for sure exactly how much material is in the residence. The City of Salem will be working with the Red Cross to assist those evacuees who do not have anywhere else to go in obtaining shelter.
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> The City of Salem Emergency Operations Center has been activated during this incident to assist in coordinating response, resources and services to those involved. There will also be street closures during the time that the Hazardous Device Teams will be operating. Hood St NE, Shipping St NE, Norway St NE and Jefferson St NE will all be closed between Capitol St NE and the railroad tracks to the east.
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> Any evacuations and street closures are precautionary in nature with the safety of the community as our foremost concern.