CLEARLAKE — The bomb squad was called in to safely remove an explosive device that was found in a yard where children were playing.
On Saturday at 8:55 p.m., Clearlake Police Officers were dispatched to a report of a pipe bomb found at a home in the 15700 block of 45th Avenue.
The caller told officers the “pipe bomb” was found by children playing in the backyard of the home. When the caller discovered what the children found, he immediately took the item out of the residence out front to the street and called police, according to Clearlake Police officials.
Clearlake Police Officers determined the item was an explosive device and immediately evacuated nearby residences. Additional resources from the Lake County Fire Protection District and Napa County Bomb Squad were requested to the scene.
The bomb squad assessed the device and determined it could be destroyed in place safely. The device was detonated with no damage to people or property.
Residents were evacuated from their homes for approximately three hours. Police said it is unknown how the device ended up in the backyard.Officers discovered the home was purchased about a year and a half ago as a foreclosure. At the time of purchase the residents claim to have cleaned property out of the backyard, but have never seen the device before. The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information should contact Mike Carpenter at the Clearlake Police Department. If a suspicious device is spotted, leave the item in place and notify authorities immediately, The Clearlake Police stated.
