On August 20th Fire Crews responded to 301 Westgate Street in Anthon Iowa for reports of a fire about 4:20PM.

Multiple Crews from surrounding agencies responded to the fire including Anthon Fire, Correctionville Fire, State Fire Marshall, ATF, Woodbury County Sheriff's Department, and Sioux City Fire Rescue Hazmat which caused significant damage to the structure.

A criminal complaint says that the only occupant at the time of the fire stated he was mixing chemicals to clean rocks when the fire broke out in the garage. Further investigation failed to verify his statement of what happened. A search warrant and investigation found heavy damage on top of the lower hutch and immediately in front of it.

Bomb-making materials, explosive powder, precursor chemicals, and 4 suspected Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were located. Samples from 2 of the devices were sent to the crime lab for analysis, 1 sample tested positive for the presences of a black powder substitute. A field Flame test found one showing reactivity and was thought to be energetic.

A pipe was also located in Sauser's bedroom that contained a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.

Brett Sauser was booked into the Woodbury County Jail on 4 counts of Possession of Explosive or Incendiary Material or Device and 1 count of Possession of a Controlled Substance, 2nd Violation.