Spokane Valley police find remnants of balloon bomb

Spokane Valley police have found the remnants of what they’re calling an “improvised explosive device” that startled many residents on Wednesday night.
The device had a fuse and was lifted in the air by helium balloons, police said. Lt. Matt Lyons said it was recovered near Sprague Avenue and Robie Street, in the back alley near the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum.
The device detonated about 10:20 p.m. Wednesday, triggering reports by numerous residents of a loud noise and bright flash, according to a news release. Lyons said at least 16 people called Spokane Valley police inquiring about …

Spokane Valley police have found the remnants of what they’re calling an “improvised explosive device” that startled many residents on Wednesday night.

The device had a fuse and was lifted in the air by helium balloons, police said. Lt. Matt Lyons said it was recovered near Sprague Avenue and Robie Street, in the back alley near the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum.

The device detonated about 10:20 p.m. Wednesday, triggering reports by numerous residents of a loud noise and bright flash, according to a news release. Lyons said at least 16 people called Spokane Valley police inquiring about the noise and flash. Officers initially couldn’t find the source of the explosion.

A museum worker reported finding the remnants of the device, Lyons said.

The device and balloons will be tested for fingerprints and other evidence, a news release said.

“While there was no anti-personnel component to the device, it could have caused injuries or a wildfire had it hit the ground before igniting,” the release said, adding that the device has no apparent connection to an attempted bombing on the route of the Martin Luther King Jr. Unity March in downtown Spokane in January.