CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Police Department reported Tuesday that a pipe bomb found at a city residence over the weekend was safety detonated.
Lt. Tim Celli said the device was reported to police shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday, June 15.
At that time, Clearlake Police officers were dispatched to a report of a pipe bomb being found at a residence located in the 15700 block of 45th Avenue.
The reporting party told officers that the device was found by children while they were playing in the backyard of the residence, Celli said.
When the reporting party discovered what the children actually found, he immediately took the item out of the residence and out front to the street and called police, according to Celli.
Celli said when police officers arrived, they determined it was in fact an explosive device and immediately evacuated nearby residences.
Additional resources from the fire department and Napa County Bomb Squad were requested to the scene. Celli said when Napa County Bomb Squad arrived on scene, its members assessed the device and determined it could be destroyed in place safely.
He said the device was detonated with no damage to persons or property.
Residents were evacuated from their homes for approximately three hours. Once the scene was determined to be safe, residents were allowed back to their homes, Celli said.
Celli said Tuesday that it was unknown how the device actually ended up in the backyard of the residence.
Through an investigation officers discovered the home was purchased approximately a year and a half ago through foreclosure. At the time of purchase the residents claim to have cleaned property out of the backyard, but had never seen the device before, according to Celli.
This case remains under investigation and. anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Clearlake Police Officer Mike Carpenter, Celli said.
He reminded citizens that if they find a suspicious device to leave the item in place and notify authorities immediately.
Celli said the Clearlake Police Department thanked all involved in bringing this incident to a safe conclusion, including Napa Bomb Squad, Lake County Office of Emergency Services and Lake County Fire Protection District.