A Philadelphia man is facing serious charges after authorities discovered over 50 pounds of homemade explosives in a rowhome last week, sparking concerns of a potential disaster in the densely populated area.

Evgenii Sadrislamov, 27, was charged on Wednesday with multiple offenses, including possession of weapons of mass destruction. Prosecutors noted that this case represents a significant escalation from his prior criminal history, where he had been involved in a similar incident.

The discovery was made late Friday night when firefighters responded to reports of smoke coming from the garage of a property located on the 7100 block of Montague Street. Upon arrival, first responders were alarmed by the materials they found, leading them to declare a hazardous materials (hazmat) situation.

During the operation, a man and a woman were rescued from the rowhome and treated by first responders on the scene. According to Philadelphia Deputy Commissioner James Kelly III, further investigation revealed the presence of an “explosive manufacturing lab” inside the property. The basement and garage were filled with chemicals, explosives formulas, and extensive instructions on how to craft homemade explosives.

“This lab was a ticking time bomb. The materials present could have leveled the entire block, posing an extreme danger to the surrounding community,” Assistant District Attorney Angela Brennan stated. Brennan emphasized that the sheer quantity of explosives found suggested Sadrislamov’s intent went far beyond personal use.

This isn’t the first time Sadrislamov has come into contact with law enforcement over explosives. In 2020, he was placed on probation after being convicted for possessing commercial-grade fireworks in his home. Prosecutors say this latest incident is “a clear escalation” of his prior criminal behavior, raising concerns about what could have happened if the situation had gone unnoticed.

“We narrowly escaped a major tragedy,” Deputy Commissioner Kelly said during a press conference. “If this had detonated, the damage would have been catastrophic.”

Sadrislamov, who is reportedly a Russian immigrant, turns 28 on Saturday. He will now spend his birthday behind bars, awaiting further legal proceedings.

Authorities continue to investigate the incident and the potential reach of Sadrislamov’s activities, as residents in the surrounding area breathe a sigh of relief following the successful operation.

Credit: FOX29