By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – An apparent explosive device was removed from a public restroom at Stan Hedwall Park in Chehalis this morning by the Washington State Patrol Bomb Squad.
Police were called about 6:30 a.m. after a man staying at the campground in the park discovered the item in the men’s bathroom, according to the Chehalis Police Department. He described it as long with a fuse, according to police.
Officers arriving to the park on the 1500 block of Rice Road located the device in a bathroom stall. They evacuated the surrounding area as a precaution and requested assistance from the bomb squad, according to police.
At about 8:40 a.m., the state patrol arrived and the object was removed. It was “vented” to make it inoperable, police department spokesperson Linda Bailey said.
The device appears to have been wrapped in blue masking tape, resembles a large firework about five inches long and one inch in diameter with a hobby fuse, according to Bailey.
No other devices were located in the area. The park was re-opened about 9:40 am.
The item was taken into evidence at the Chehalis Police Department and will be sent to the Washington State crime lab for fingerprinting, according to police.
Anyone with information about this incident or who may have left the device is encouraged to call the Chehalis Police Department at 360-748-8605.