Search for Explosives Forces Evacuation From Condos
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About 30 people were evacuated from eight units of an Irvine condominium complex Wednesday night as a bomb squad combed the area for explosives.
The incident began about 7:30 p.m. with a 911 call reporting “strange objects in the closet” at a condo at the Rancho San Joaquin complex at 91-98 Pergola in Irvine, said Capt. Paul Hunter, a spokesman for the Orange County Fire Authority. The caller also reported a strange smell coming from the objects, Hunter said.
After an initial inspection conducted by a hazardous-materials team, authorities established a 100-foot safety perimeter around the home and summoned the bomb squad.
Police also blocked off the area by erecting barriers at Culver Drive, Sandburg Way, San Joaquin and University Drive, closing about a quarter-mile of road through the affected neighborhood.
“It’s so we can get our emergency vehicles in and out,” said Sgt. Susan Davis, a spokeswoman for the Irvine Police Department.
The investigation was still underway late Wednesday.
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