Puyallup police say bomb squad safely detonates explosive downtown
UPDATE: Puyallup police said shortly after 5 p.m. that the explosive was safely detonated and that they had reopened streets in the area.
INITIAL POST: Those living in the vicinity of Puyallup High School might hear a loud explosion between 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. this evening.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad will use a controlled counter explosive to dispose of railroad torpedo explosives at a residence in the 700 block of West Pioneer Avenue, according to a news release from the Puyallup Police Department.
A one-block radius between West Main Street, Seventh Street Southwest, Eighth Street Southwest and West Pioneer Avenue will be evacuated and blocked off. Those living within a 1.5-mile radius should expect a reverse 911 call about “a loud explosion sound,” according to the news release.
A railroad torpedo is a small dynamite charge that was used by railroad companies in the past. It is wrapped in paper and would be placed on a rail by using lead straps. When it touches a locomotive’s wheel, a charge is set off and makes a loud sound.
The explosives have been stored in the homeowner’s garage for many years, according to the news release. The homeowner called on Jan. 31 to have the explosives removed. The PCSD and Puyallup Police Department were dispatched at around 11:30 a.m.
“There is no danger to the public at this time,” according to the news release.
This story was originally published January 31, 2022 at 4:33 PM.
