The State Fire Marshal’s Office has charged two students from Saint Joseph’s College in Standish with throwing acid bombs from their dormitory room Wednesday.
According to Department of Public Safety spokesman Steve McCausland, the two males are accused of throwing three of the devices from a second-story window to the ground below. Two of the three devices exploded near an emergency exit at Standish Hall. No one was injured, but more than 100 students were in the building at the time, McCausland said.
Fire Investigator Dan Young charged 18-year-old Victor Santos of Framingham, Mass., and 19-year-old Brandon Ward, of Houlton, with criminal use of explosives. The two students, both freshmen, were summonsed to Cumberland County Superior Court for an appearance on April 16, McCausland said.
Fire marshals were called to the campus by college security after the incident was reported late Wednesday afternoon. An acid bomb is usually household solvents placed inside a plastic soda bottle and explode in a chemical reaction. The result is an acidic spray that can cause serious injury to those who come in contact it, McCausland said.
On Thursday afternoon, college spokesman David Svenson released the following statement:
“Saint Joseph’s College takes criminal and otherwise harmful incidences with the utmost importance, placing the safety and well-being of the campus population at the forefront.
“The college has an explicit policy on such matters, and a judicial process is underway with the concerned parties. Saint Joseph’s College continues to cooperate with the state Fire Marshal’s Office, the Cumberland County Sherriff’s Office, and the Department of Public Safety.”
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