Blasting caps neutralized in Ephrata

EPHRATA — Early afternoon Thursday, Ephrata Police Department was called for suspected blasting caps found in the northwest section of town at a construction storage yard.  

“They were found in a steel container. When they opened the container, they recognized that they were explosive devices. They immediately called MACC dispatch and the Ephrata Police Department responded,” Captain Troy Froewiss said.  

Froewiss said Ephrata PD secured the scene and called the Washington State Patrol Bomb Squad.  

“Once the bomb squad arrived, they took control of the scene and handled the explosives,” Froewiss said.  

The WSP bomb squad detonated the devices, resulting in a larger blast than expected. Although it may have startled some neighborhood homes, there was no public safety concern, according to EPD.  

Froewiss said the subjects who found the explosives handled the situation well. 

“If you find what you believe could be explosive materials, the best thing to do is obviously not to touch them, safely back away and keep as much distance between you and the explosive as you possibly can. After you are a good distance away, call 911 and report it,” Froewiss said. “It’s best to not use any electrical devices near what you believe is an explosive, so don’t call until you step away.”  

WSP Public Information Officer Jeremey Weber seconded this.  

“If there is any question that the device you may have is explosive, call the authorities and let them give you advice. They are experts,” Weber said. “Even if it turns out to be a false alarm, always make the phone call and confirm it is nothing to worry about.”  

This is the second explosive device found in Grant County within the last handful of months. At the end of September, a three-year-old found a World War II live hand grenade in his front yard. WSP bomb squad responded to this incident as well, with no injuries resulting.  

Both Froewiss and Weber strongly emphasized citizens should not try to investigate the object themselves. 

“Do not try to remove the object, or handle the situation by yourself,” Weber said. “There are trained experts that have been trained on how to safely handle explosive devices so injuries will not occur. It never hurts to call the right people to make sure you are safe.”