Local

Homemade devices taken to transfer station were not pipe bombs, police say

Pipe bombs at Factoria Transfer Station

BELLEVUE, Wash. — Update: The two homemade devices found at the Factoria Recycling and Transfer Station were not pipe bombs, the Bellevue Police Department said Thursday.

Police said a homeowner who was attempting to get rid of moles created devices made from pipes and a homemade chemical mixture that was supposed to create a plume to kill the small mammals.

The man inadvertently caused a tube to pressurize, which ruptured and caused injuries to his hand.

While the man was at the hospital, his wife got rid of the devices at the transfer station and did not have an understanding of what they were, police said.

After workers at the transfer station spotted the devices, they were alarmed and called the police.

Officers said they also responded after hearing a report that one of the devices had caused injury after exploding.

The transfer station was evacuated on Wednesday and the bomb squad was called.

Both devices were neutralized.

Original story: The Factoria Recycling and Transfer Station was evacuated after workers discovered a suspicious package on Wednesday in Bellevue.

Officials said the bomb squad was called to the scene.

Workers at the transfer station found homemade devices and called police, officials said.

Officials said two pipe bombs were neutralized.

At one point, the transfer station entrance had been blocked, but the scene has since been cleared.

0