HERMISTON – The Hermiston Transfer Station was evacuated and shuttered early Wednesday afternoon following reports that a potentially live pipe bomb may have been inadvertently collected as household trash.
The chain of events began on October 1, when police were called to investigate the death of a 40-year-old man at his local residence. Hermiston Police Chief Jason Edmiston stated that investigators suspect controlled substances played a role in the man’s passing. Following the police investigation, family members arrived at the home to clear out the property.
During the cleanup process, family members discovered an item they believed to be a homemade pipe bomb. According to Chief Edmiston, the family mistakenly disposed of the object in the residential trash.
The gravity of the situation was realized only after the waste had already been collected by Sanitary Disposal. After the family members recounted the discovery to their mother, she immediately contacted the Hermiston Police Department to alert them of the potential danger.
Police quickly notified Waste Connections, the parent company of the local disposal service, prompting an emergency response. Out of an abundance of caution, both the Transfer Station and the adjacent shop were evacuated and ordered to remain closed for the remainder of the day.
“Our primary role at this point has been to connect resources with Sanitary Disposal leadership,” Chief Edmiston said as the investigation unfolded.
The Oregon State Police have been notified of the situation, and specialized resources are being coordinated to address the hazard. As of Wednesday evening, the facility remained closed while officials worked to track the movement of the refuse and secure the device, should it be recovered.
Waste Connections officials confirmed that the closure was a direct precaution following the police notification regarding the suspected explosive. Authorities have not yet released details regarding the exact nature of the device or how it came to be in the residence, pending further investigation into the man’s death and the origins of the object.
The incident has caused significant disruption to local waste management services, with officials advising the public to expect continued delays as the investigation proceeds. No injuries have been reported in connection with the discovery or the subsequent evacuation of the facility.
Law enforcement officials are urging the public to exercise extreme caution when encountering suspicious items, particularly those found in the homes of individuals who may have been involved in illicit activity.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as investigators confirm the status of the disposal site and the outcome of the search for the suspected device.
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