Watch CBS News

Suspected Explosive Materials Removed From Park In San Mateo

SAN MATEO (CBS SF) -- Emergency crews gave the all clear after three suspicious plastic liter-sized bottles caused an evacuation of a park and nearby homes in San Mateo on Sunday, a police sergeant said.

Police and fire reported to Casanova Park in San Mateo after a park employee called about three suspicious plastic bottles with clear liquid and aluminum at about 9 a.m., Sgt. Bob Szelenyi said.

The employee told police the clear liquid was emitting a strong chemical odor.

A hazardous materials crew and bomb squad reported to the park when police and fire crews determined the bottles to be consistent with a homemade explosive device, the sergeant said.

The park was empty when the employee found the bottles, Szelenyi said. The park was closed and 15 nearby homes were evacuated, and residents were notified with shelter-in-place calls.

At about 2 p.m., the hazards team and bomb squad neutralized the bottles and gave the all clear, Szelenyi said.

The park was deemed safe and was reopened, and all residents were allowed back into their homes, he said.

The bottles were sent to the San Mateo police forensic lab for testing, Szelenyi said.

No injuries were reported, he said.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.