Dynamite in Garage Forces Evacuation of School, Homes
A South Gate elementary school and more than 500 nearby residents were evacuated for several hours Tuesday following the discovery of about 100 sticks of old dynamite, police said.
A woman discovered the dynamite in a box kept in her garage by her late husband. She notified authorities shortly after 2 p.m.
“Arson explosives experts determined that, in fact, it was dynamite and that it was in danger of exploding,” South Gate police Sgt. Raymond Lilley said.
San Gabriel Avenue Elementary School, across from the woman’s home, was closed shortly before the school day ended and residents living on three surrounding streets were evacuated.
At least 500 people were displaced, Lilley said.
By 9:40 p.m., a sheriff’s bomb squad had finished its work and police allowed residents to return to their homes, Lilley said, adding that only about 125 people sought refuge at a Red Cross shelter set up at South Gate Park.
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