Centralia Police say a domestic problem preceded a fear of a shooting that turned out to be aerosol cans exploding on the stove.
The incident occurred at a residence on the 1000 block of Dover Street around two Sunday mornings.
Centralia Police report the series of events began when the occupant of the home had gone to a neighbor’s home following a dispute with her boyfriend. When the neighbor went to the home to lock up he was confronted by the boyfriend who was still there. The boyfriend threatened to shoot the neighbor.
The aerosol cans on the stove then began exploding leading those in the neighborhood to believe there was a shooting taking place inside the home.
Upon arrival, Centralia Police say they could not find what was reported to be a shooting victim and a man who reportedly was armed with a shotgun had left the home traveling across the railroad tracks and to the 100 block of South Walnut where he was stopped. No gun was found on the man.
Police then learned from officers at the Dover Street home no gun had been located but they had found numerous aerosol cans that exploded on the stove of the residence.
As a result, the man stopped for questioning was released and a search for the alleged gunshot victim ended.
Centralia Police say an investigation is continuing into the initial domestic dispute and charges could be filed.
Centralia Police received mutual aide assistance from Central City and Wamac Police and the Marion County Sheriff’s Department. The Centralia City Fire Department had also been dispatched to handle what was originally feared was a fire in the house that was deemed unfounded.
The incident was first reported at 2:07 on Sunday morning.
