CLEARLAKE OAKS — Northshore Fire Protection District (NFPD) was requested around 8:33 a.m. Friday following a report of a suspicious package at a local post office. The package, which was being sent through the mail, was ultimately determined to contain drug paraphernalia.
Units originally responded to the Lucerne Post Office; however, responding units could not locate the package. Hearing the information while en route to the call, Deputy Chief Pat Brown then checked the Clearlake Oaks Post Office, where the package was ultimately located.
The assistance of the Lake County Fire Protection District (LCFPD) hazmat unit was requested at approximately 9 a.m. The unit responded with a two-man crew and Fire Chief Willie Sapeta. According to Sapeta, the package contained drug paraphernalia along with a butane torch device, which he said apparently ignited inside the box. He said postal workers were alerted when they smelled a burnt aroma. They then located the partially-burned box, moved it outside and called 9-1-1.
“If they hadn”t picked up on that it could have resulted in a pretty significant fire,” Sapeta said.
Lake County Sheriff”s Department responded to the scene as well and contacted the intended recipient of the package. The scene was cleared without incident at 10:07 a.m.
