Joe Guillen

Detroit Free Press

Update: Authorities say they've recovered the fireworks.

Federal agents are interviewing people in southwest Detroit about 32 cases of commercial grade explosives that were stolen from a CSX freight train.

CSX workers realized about 500 pounds of the explosives were missing when the train arrived on Wednesday near Central Avenue, said Donald Dawkins, spokesman for the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Dawkins compared the aerial shells — between 2 1/2 to 5 inches in length — to commercial fireworks that a municipality might set off at a fireworks show. But he stressed they are not for consumers, are filled with pyrotechnic explosives and can be dangerous.

“There is nothing to indicate any acts of terrorism at this time,” Dawkins said.

Details about the theft still are unknown. Dawkins said the train was not hijacked; it appears the explosives were stolen during one of the train's several stops since its departure from Chicago.

“We’re not sure where the theft occurred, when it occurred,” Dawkins said. "We’re leaning toward Detroit probably where the theft occurred but we’re not sure.”

Detroit police and CSX are helping with the ATF's investigation, Dawkins said. A message was left for Detroit police seeking comment.

The explosives likely were among various types of freight, including consumer products and raw materials, on a train with about 100 boxcars, CSX spokesman Rob Doolittle said, adding that CSX is cooperating with the investigation.

It is possible the stolen explosives could be sold off for profit, Dawkins said.

“This is not for regular consumer use," he said. "We see facial injuries every year from these ... they’re loaded with pyrotechnic explosives.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call ATF's Detroit offices at 313-202-3400.

Contact Joe Guillen: 313-222-6678, jguillen@freepress.com or on Twitter @joeguillen. Staff writer Niraj Warikoo contributed.