Why was a West Bountiful neighborhood evacuated on April 27, 2026?

What Prompted the Evacuation

West Bountiful police officers responded to a domestic violence incident near 1100 West and 1400 North on Saturday. During the incident, the homeowner's son was arrested and subsequently told police that his father possessed explosives. With Hughes's consent, police searched the property and discovered a container of decades-old dynamite from the 1980s. The explosives were stored dangerously close to a 2,500-gallon tank of diesel fuel. Illegal fireworks were also found at the home.

Evacuation Details

A mandatory evacuation order was issued for the area within 2,000 feet of the home. Residents were evacuated on Monday morning, April 27, 2026, to facilitate safe removal of the explosives. Officials estimated the evacuation would last approximately three hours. Residents were advised to bring medications and other immediate necessities but were told they did not need to remove other belongings. A shelter was established at 1930 North 600 West in West Bountiful, next to the city park.

Arrest and Charges

Dwayne Raymond Hughes, 80, was taken into custody and charged with second-degree felony explosive possession, misdemeanor unlawful possession of fireworks, and reckless endangerment. He was held without bail pending further proceedings.