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San Jose Man Burns Off Fingertips With Fireworks In Garage; Homes Evacuated

SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- Two men handling fireworks inside a garage were injured by an explosion which led to evacuations, San Jose Police said.  One of the men has severe injuries to his hand.

Rogelio Romayor, 30, suffered severe wounds to his thumb and finger and had minor burns on his chest.

Police responded about 3:09 p.m. Sunday to a house in the 4100 block of Moonflower Court, a few blocks east of San Felipe Road, to a report of an explosion in the garage there.

Taylor Poppen, Romayor's girlfriend, was inside the home at the time of the incident and heard it happen.

"It was kind of a 'boom' and then the house kind of rumbled after," said Poppen.

"His fingertips and a few burns on his chest...just the two tips of them [were blown off]," said Poppen. "I know it could have been a lot worse, though."

Residents of the neighboring Evergreen area were being kept out of their homes behind police lines while the San Jose Police Bomb Squad unit investigated the aftermath of the explosion.

About 10 to 15 houses were evacuated, according to San Jose Police Lt. Steve Lagorio.

Romayor is hospitalized at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.

Police set off another loud explosion after the bomb squad unit decided to detonate other fireworks recovered inside the garage.  Police investigators have not yet decided whether any criminal charges will be filed.

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