Bomb squad called for homemade explosive device

A bomb squad responded after the Huntington Beach Police and Fire departments discovered a man with a homemade explosive device late Monday.

About 11:30 p.m., a police firework suppression team came across a man in his 40s who was getting ready to ignite the device in celebration of the Fourth of July, Deputy Fire Marshal Jeff Lopez said.

“It was serious enough that the police felt it to be very dangerous, so that’s why they called a bomb squad to deal with it,” Lopez said.

Police interviewed two people at the scene, but they were not arrested, Lt. Russell Reinhart said. The investigation is ongoing, he said.

The bomb squad transported the device for destruction.

All fireworks in Huntington Beach, including safe and sane ones, are illegal.

— Mona Shadia