Hopkinton Explosion Caused by Blow Torch Igniting Fireworks

Investigators have released information about the death of two men during an explosion at a landscaping business in Hopkinton during the early morning hours of Oct. 8.

According the state medical examiner’s officer, Lucas Bourke, 21, of Allenstown and Ethan Keeler, 21, of Epsom, died after “attempting to gain entry into a closed metal container which contained consumer fireworks using an oxy-acetylene cutting torch when the blast occurred,” according to a press statement.

Officials were called to New Yard Landscaping Company for the explosion around 1:30 a.m. and discovered the fireworks and bodies of the two men. The men, according to investigators, did not have permission to be on the property.

The investigation into the explosion on Farrington Road in Hopkinton, just across the Concord line, is ongoing, according to investigators. 

According to Concord Police arrest reports, Keeler, who was 20 at the time, was arrested last week on a felony receiving stolen property charge.

The charge stemmed from an alleged incident on Nov. 1, 2012, at the Steeplegate Mall on Loudon Road, involving an iPod Classic 80G player with 4,000 songs on it valued at $4,360. Keeler was arrested by Epsom Police Department, which handed him off to a Concord officer. He was released on $5,000 personal recognizance bail and was due to be arraigned in court on Nov. 18.

Back in July, Keeler was arrested on a felony forgery charge and theft by deception. The charges stemmed from an alleged incident at the TD Bank on Sheep Davis Road on March 22, involving a check for $400. In that case, Epsom Police arrested Keeler and handed him of to police. He was arraigned on the charges on Aug. 26. 

On May 18, in Allenstown, Bourke was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of alcohol after police received a report of a suspicious person on Main Street, according to a police report. Bourke was arrested and released on personal recognizance bail. He was arraigned on June 10. 

Editor's Note: This story has been edited with the correct spelling of one of the victim's name which was submitted incorrectly.