Meanwhile, in Arlington...

[Horace]

Saw a guess in the comments that it might be natural gas leak. I'm surprised that would give such a massive shockwave if so. I would think that would require something compressed.

[LuFins Dad]

I don’t think a gas leak would have caused that… Add in the police and gunshots?

[Renauda]

Some years ago (1991 ?) a house two blocks from mine blew up just after midnight. The owner, a senior who had recently been widowed, decided it wasn’t worth living and disconnected the gas line to his furnace and let the basement fill with gas. I suspect he intended to asphyxiate himself. Anyhow something ignited the gas and the house blew up just like in the video. There was debris spread over a two block area - some of it burning. The explosion sure as hell rattled my house’s foundation and windows.

[Doctor Phibes]

Finally, something I actually know something about. I did this for a living. Not in houses, obviously.

If they'd filled the house or part of the house with natural gas it could easily go up like that - the house is the containment system.

Here's another one

Link to video

Obviously, it could be something else, too.

[Jolly]

Well, he went out with a bang...

[George K]

The guy who's house it is was was kind of nuts.

[jon-nyc]

@LuFins-Dad said in Meanwhile, in Arlington...:

I don’t think a gas leak would have caused that… Add in the police and gunshots?

Right that does change your priors.

[89th]

Glad you found that George. Last night my buddies group chat was all about this, as we know that neighborhood somewhat well. Quick found out the (racist, anti-white) paranoid dude. Apparently he would also list his house for sale then chase people off with a knife. And his neighbors, as you see in your post, had to deal with his paranoia... what a drag. He even had aluminum lining his windows. Talk about a clear cut case of red flags...

What a boom, @Doctor-Phibes good info about the natural gas. It does seem like he was ready to light the candle as soon as the police/swat vehicle began to breach his fence.

[LuFins Dad]

It sounds like he was firing flares beforehand, so I concede it was likely gas, but I dispute calling it a leak when it was done on purpose.

[89th]

Yeah firing flares earlier in the day, then firing a weapon at the cops later in the day... not sure how fast it takes to fill a room/house with natural gas but by the evening it was ready to blow.

[taiwan_girl]

https://nypost.com/video/body-camera-footage-shows-moment-virginia-man-blew-up-his-own-home/

[jon-nyc]

Damn.

[Mik]

Commitment.

[89th]

The driver of the SWAT vehicle cracks me up. Casually looks at his partner like "WTF?". Incredible footage from the body cams... I know exactly where that house is, I walked by it the other day (well the empty lot) when I was in town for work.

That being said... and I know "why" they did it, but it's a little humorous the cops evacuate nearby houses AFTER the explosion when it's clear the suspect is dead.