A 43-year-old man lost his finger yesterday after he caused an explosion, intended to get the attention of his 65-year-old mother, at their Toms River home, police said.

Patrol Officer Frank Moschell and Toms River Emergency Medical Service Officers responded to the 8:20 p.m. incident and found the man, who authorities did not identify, missing part of his left index finger.

The Toms River Police Department said the man and his mother had been arguing over his excessive drinking. Frustrated, the man left the Mobile Lane house and went to a makeshift cloth shed behind the house, police said in a news release.

Inside the shed, the man placed a shotgun shell inside a hollow metal pipe and then hit it with a hammer, according to police. The force caused an explosion, which removed the man's finger, police said.

Authorities said the self-made explosion was intended to get his mother's attention. The man was treated at Kimball Medical Center.

No charges have been filed at this time. The investigation remains under investigation, police said.