Small explosive device found near Soap Lake

An explosive device was found along a road in Lakeview Wednesday, in the community between Soap Lake and Ephrata, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office reported.

The Richland Police Bomb Squad assisted Grant County Sheriff’s Deputies on Wednesday night when a small, homemade explosive device was found along a road.

A citizen had discovered a small fire around 8 p.m. near Division Road North and Moses Lake Avenue Northwest in Lakeview and alerted the fire department. Deputies also responded and discovered what appeared to be a small, homemade explosive device, which had apparently burned but not detonated.

The Richland Police Bomb Squad was summoned, and their members rendered the device safe.

It is not known who made the device, or what it was intended to damage, the sheriff’s office said in a release.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Grant County Sheriff’s Office at 509-762-1160 or send information to crimetips@grantcountywa.gov. Reference case number 15GS10407. Tipsters can remain anonymous.