Explosives found in Gulfport Neighborhood

GULFPORT, Miss. (WALA) - More than a dozen homes in Gulfport, Mississippi had to be evacuated late Thursday after an explosion  severely injured one person.

Investigators with the ATF were called in to investigate.  Based on the preliminary report, the ATF said it believed the man's injuries were caused by a military munition.  When they went to the home near Three Rivers Road and Swan Road, they say they found a dangerous situation.

"Upon further investigation we discovered there were multiple... numerous munitions at this person's residence.  The condition of the munitions was such that we had to gather it up and detonate it in place," explained Joel Lee of the ATF.

Before they could detonate the munitions, they had to evacuate homes nearby and build trenches around the detonation site.  They ATF successfully detonated the munitions in a controlled explosion around 4 a.m. Friday. 

Witnesses say the man who was injured had been cutting up what he thought was scrap metal.  A man who claimed to be the victim's brother, said he was rushed to USA Medical Center where he underwent Surgery overnight and was listed in critical condition.

No one knows where the munitions came from.

Authorities say their investigation is just beginning.  There are several agencies investigating including Gulfport Police, Biloxi Police, Military experts, and the ATF.

The victim's sister, Noddy Wilson, told us Friday morning her brother's name is Dale Johnson and he is 33 years old. Wilson says her brother has a 50-50 chance to pull through.

FOX10 News crews are following the developments in this story throughout the day. Look for updates here on fox10tv.com and starting on FOX10 News at 4.