No one was injured, but the explosion “caused a significant public disturbance,” police said.
A Dorchester man is charged with possession of an incendiary device and malicious explosion after he allegedly caused a deliberate explosion outside a Chelsea apartment building, police said.
Douglas C. MacMillan, 40, of Dorchester, was arrested Tuesday after allegedly detonating a homemade explosion Sunday near 1016 Revere Beach Parkway in Chelsea, Chelsea police said in a statement.
“At a time when our region is preparing for major events like the Boston Marathon and Chelsea’s own 250th celebration, it’s critical that a clear message is sent — acts of this nature will be met with decisive enforcement,” Chelsea Police Chief Keith Houghton said in the statement.
No one was injured, but the explosion “caused a significant public disturbance,” police said in the statement.
In a joint investigation between Chelsea police, State Police, and the Chelsea Fire Department, investigators determined that MacMillan intentionally ignited the device, which exploded between apartment complexes at Chelsea Place Apartments, according to Chelsea police.
The Chelsea Fire Department found damage and debris at the scene of the explosion which indicated that the detonation was intentional, the Department of Fire Services said in a statement.
MacMillan was arraigned Wednesday in Chelsea District Court, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges, court records show. He was held without bail in Suffolk County Jail pending a dangerousness hearing, which is scheduled for April 15.
MacMillan’s attorneys did not immediately return a request for comment Wednesday evening.
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