Suspicious device shuts down highway
<p>This homemade explosive device, made of common plumbing tubing, was found along Highway 200 Monday. Bonner County Sheriff's Office officials said it measured 3 inches by 1 inch. (Photo courtesy BONNER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE)</p>
SANDPOINT — A smoldering grass fire along Highway 200 led to the discovery of a suspected explosive device on Monday.
The discovery triggered a response from the Spokane Regional Bomb Disposal Unit and the closure of a stretch of highway for about five hours.
The device was made from common polyvinyl chloride plumbing tubing and measured about 3 inches long and about 1 inch in diameter, said Bonner County Sheriff’s Lt. Ror Lakewold.
It was discovered shortly after 11:30 a.m. near North Oden View Road.
The homemade device’s destructive capacity was not immediately clear, although officials opted to close the highway as a precautionary measure.
“We want to take every effort to make sure the public’s safe,” Lakewold said.
The device was located within the highway right of way and had a partially-burnt fuse. Preliminary indications suggested the lit fuse may have sparked the grass fire.
“It looked as if someone perhaps was driving down the road, lit the fuse and threw it out of the vehicle,” said Lakewold.
Information about the contents of the PVC device was not immediately available on Monday.
Northside Fire District personnel extinguished the smoldering fire and discovered the device. Several square yards of grass were reportedly charred.
Idaho State Police are investigating the incident.
The fire danger in the region was rated as moderate on Monday, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Those with information about the incident or who saw suspicious activity around the time of it are asked to contact sheriff’s Det. Sgt. Gary Johnston at (208) 263-8417.