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Improvised bomb damages prosecutor’s building in Medford, Ore.

Officials work the scene after an explosion shattered windows and damaged buildings around the Jackson County district attorney's office in Medford, Ore.
(Jamie Lusch / Associated Press)
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Police in Medford, Ore., said they were searching for a person possibly connected to an improvised bomb that ignited and partially exploded Wednesday morning, damaging the building housing the Jackson County prosecutor’s office.

In a video posted by the Medford Mail Tribune, police spokesman Lt. Mike Budreau said the device shattered windows and damaged the outside of the building. No one was injured in the explosion that could have been much more deadly, he said.

“I think that it’s safe to assume that had this bomb went off as it was intended to, it would have most likely destroyed most of the building, and we believe that was the intent of the suspect,” Budreau said.

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Budreau, who was not immediately available to discuss the case, did not describe the person believed to be a suspect, who ran from an officer several blocks away from the destruction.

“We’re not sure if that is going to be related to this case or if it’s going to be unrelated,” he said.

The district attorney’s office was closed for the day, according to a recorded message Wednesday morning.

The device was described as a propane tank that was found burning at the building after an explosion was reported about 4:30 a.m. Budreau said.

“But it did catch fire and emitted a large flame until it eventually burned out,” he said.

The office is part of a group of government buildings in downtown Medford. No other buildings were damaged, he said.

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