Via local affliliate Channel 7 in Miami:

“Authorities have officially charged an FSU biochemistry student with failure to properly store hazardous materials after two explosions at a Miami apartment building prompted an emergency evacuation.

Police arrested Itai Polatnick, 23, Wednesday morning after holding him in custody following a questioning session regarding the blasts after he turned himself in Tuesday afternoon. Authorities have placed bond at $1 million.

The chemical explosions, whose ingredients authorities still have not determined, prompted an emergency evacuation at the 17-story Blue Lagoon condominium, located at Northwest 50th Avenue and Seventh Street. Officials say the explosions blew out a hole in a wall and resulted in a mandatory evacuation from the sixth, seventh and eighth floors. Later on, authorities evacuated the entire complex. Residents have yet to be allowed back in.

“Right now we know that this explosion was significant enough to cause an opening in the wall,” explained Ignatius Carroll of the Miami Fire Department. “It blew the wall out through the living room of that unit. There were two tenants that were inside at the time. They saw this light haze, which triggered off the sprinkler system and flooded the apartment.”

A Hazardous Materials Crew responded on the scene and is investigating what caused the explosion. “We went in, and we noticed there was some type of chemical odor,” said Carroll. “Right now what we did find is there were several chemicals in there. We’re trying to determine exactly why these chemicals were there and then exactly what caused this explosion.”

Authorities continue to work to uncover the details. No injuries were reported. It’s unknown when the residents will be able to return. “

Not Polatnick’s first time with possession of dangerous chemicals. In January 2003, he was charged with possessing bomb-making materials. The Miami Herald notes:

“In January 2003, he was charged with possessing bomb-making materials. The felony charge was dropped a year later.

In 2004, Polatnick paid $226 in court costs for a charge related to resisting arrest without violence. Records show adjudication was withheld in that case.

Both times he was represented by Stephen J. Polatnick, a Miami immigration lawyer — and a repeat winner of the Florida Scrabble Championship. His name also appears on public records for the Blue Lagoon condo where Tuesday’s blast happened.

Unknown whether the two are related, but something isn’t kosher about this situation and sources tell me the FBI is fully involved in this.

More to come.