A startling incident unfolded in a Yonkers park when a portable toilet was destroyed in an explosion, prompting a significant response from law enforcement agencies, according to various reports and local authorities.
The explosion occurred at approximately 8:20 p.m. on Monday in Bregano Park, causing a loud boom that reverberated through the surrounding area, as reported by WABC.
In the wake of the blast, Yonkers police, alongside the Westchester County Bomb Squad and agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), swiftly arrived at the scene. The park was sealed off as investigators, clad in protective suits, gathered evidence from the shattered remnants of the portable toilet, the news outlet detailed.
Authorities did not find anyone present in the park at the time of the explosion and suspect that fireworks were used to trigger the blast, as per the publication.
Residents in the area have reported hearing similar explosive sounds at the same time of night in recent weeks, though they noted that the explosion on Monday night was notably the loudest so far.
Residents have reported hearing several similar blasts at the same time of night over the past few weeks — but said Monday night’s porta-john explosion was the loudest yet.
“Last night, it sounded like a bomb,” resident Maria Sigismondo told the outlet. “I was sitting in the living room, and I went, ‘Oh my god.’ The whole floor shook. And then my neighbors, you know, and everybody were just talking about it.”
“I am pretty concerned, especially when you see the FBI, but hopefully they get to the bottom of it. You know, you worry about it,” Sigismondo said. “The world today is a little strange.”
“At first, we thought it was like fireworks. Then it got louder and bigger, but last night was really big,” said another resident, Kenny Reyes. “And now this.”
The toilet explosion comes after residents of nearby White Plains had similarly been tormented by a series of mysterious, thunderous booms for weeks.
The alleged culprit of the White Plains blasts, Raymond Elders, 65, was arrested on federal charges for allegedly harboring at least 25 suspected explosive devices in his apartment.
The Yonkers Police Department did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment Tuesday night.
