SE Bend construction crew finds old blasting cap; OSP bomb squad called in

(Update: Adding video, update from police)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- An excavation crew working at a housing development in southeast Bend found a blasting cap from a previous project Monday afternoon, prompting a few nearby evacuations and a call-out of Oregon State Police bomb technicians, police said.

Bend police were called to the area of Southeast Light Peak Drive and Ruby Peak Lane, off Brosterhouse Road, around 12:30 p.m. after an item was found that's believed to be an explosive device, Sgt. Rob Emerson said.

"The device is believed to be a blasting cap from prior construction," Emerson said in a news release.

OSP Explosives Unit technicians were called in to evaluate the device, Emerson said.

He later said, "It was a live load in a blasting cap. They were able to render safe and remove it."

Police said it was fortunate the device did not go off.

Bend Police Officer Peter Enna said on scene, "Once the bomb squad was contacted, we sent a picture to them, so they could help identify what precautions need to be taken at that point."

"They did recommend a 300-foot radius around the device be established," Enna said. "As part of that, we did evacuate a couple of residences. Other residents we spoke to, and asked them to shelter in place."

Police said the explosives technicians were able to remove the device without incident around 3 p.m.