A Long Island man allegedly sparked a fire at his apartment complex after a hazardous chemical mixture reacted violently during a late-night home experiment, Nassau County police said.
Nolan Gaugler, 34, was reportedly conducting an “unknown chemistry experiment” inside his Mineola apartment at about 2:30 a.m. Sunday when the chemicals he was combining underwent a dangerous reaction, authorities said.
Police said Gaugler panicked and threw the mixture into the building’s hallway. The substance then ignited, according to investigators.
Photos from the scene showed fire damage to sections of the hallway floor and walls.
The building was evacuated, leaving residents outside for several hours as arson investigators and the bomb squad examined the scene and Gaugler’s apartment.
Authorities said the apartment contained laboratory equipment as well as a large quantity of chemicals.
Some of the substances were found to be unstable and explosive. Officials removed them and transported them to another location, where they were safely detonated.
Gaugler was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment, arson and criminal possession of a weapon, police said.
He pleaded not guilty Monday and was released with an ankle monitor, according to court records.
