Explosive Death Forced Neighbors Out
Residents at a Kew Gardens apartment house were reportedly forced out of their buildings for several hours Monday night, Jan. 6, after a resident allegedly detonated a small explosive that took his life.
Law enforcement sources said the blast took place at 6 p.m. Monday inside an apartment house on Austin Street near Lefferts Boulevard.
Numerous Fire Department units along with the 102nd Precinct and the NYPD Bomb Squad responded to the scene. The building and the nearby Austin’s Ale House restaurant were reportedly cleared while the investigation was underway.
Upon arriving at the location, police noted, they found the body of 70-year-old Alfred Mayo, who was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS paramedics.
According to published reports, it is believed Mayo lit a firework inside his mouth, causing the fatal blast. He was reportedly suffering from throat cancer.
No other injuries were reported, and residents were permitted to return to their homes after the building was deemed safe.
The investigation is ongoing.
