Levittown man arrested after explosion, bomb-making materials found in home

LEVITTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- Police arrested a man in connection with an explosion in Bristol Township.

30-year-old Thomas Piscione of Levittown has been charged with risking a catastrophe and reckless endangerment.

Police responded to his home on Midwood Lane shortly after 1:00 a.m. Monday after a neighbor reported some type of explosion.

Neighbor Brian Shipp heard the noise from the street over and came to see what was going on.

"I was in my room and I just heard this bang. Extremely loud like something blew up or a car crash or something," Shipp said.

Police say Piscione put ammonium nitrate into the fireplace causing an explosion.

It blew out the chimney and windows in the home.

Piscione was taken to the hospital for evaluation. Authorities say his hair was singed and his face was covered in soot.

Police executed a search warrant of the home and found a bedroom converted into a bomb lab.

Authorities discovered pipes for pipe bombs, ball bearings, bomb books, other ingredients, as well as books on serial killers.

"He had all the makings of creating a major catastrophe here," Lt. Terry Hughes of the Bristol Township Police Department said.

Several weapons were also found in the home.

Neighbors were in disbelief about the pipe bomb findings.

"It is unnerving to think it is so close to where you live," neighbor Trisha Sullivan said.

"It's unexpected. You never know what's going on in your own neighborhood," neighbor Stephen Matejik said.

Piscione was arraigned and remains jailed on $1-million bail, 10%.