UPDATE: Empty Gas Can Wrapped in Wire Detonated After ‘Suspicious Device’ Report in Long Beach

Photos by Stephanie Rivera. 

UPDATE | Authorities detonated an empty gas can wrapped with wire following a report of a ‘suspicious device’ Friday morning that resulted in the evacuation of Bixby Park and closure of surrounding streets, according to Long Beach police officials.

The report of a suspicious item near Cherry Avenue and 1st Street came in at about 9:00AM causing officials to evacuate Bixby Park and close surrounding streets, Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) spokesman Brad Johnson said.

The device was detonated by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Bomb Squad about two hours later.

The device, which was an empty one gallon red gas can with wire wrapped around the handle, was rendered safe, Johnson said.

PREVIOUSLY: Bixby Park Evacuated After ‘Suspicious Device’ Reported to Long Beach Police

10:25AM | A suspicious device reported to police Friday morning resulted in the evacuation of Bixby Park in Long Beach and a response from the sheriff’s bomb squad, authorities said.

Officers responded to Cherry Avenue and 1st Street, Bixby Park in Alamitos Beach, at about 9:00AM regarding a suspicious device, according to Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) spokesman Brad Johnson.

Police arrived at the scene and after further investigation requested the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) bomb squad, he said.

The incident prompted authorities to evacuate Bixby Park and close down 1st Street from Hermosa to Junipero avenues, 2nd Street at Junipero Avenue, and Cherry Avenue from Ocean Boulevard to Broadway.

The investigation remains ongoing.

No additional information was available at this time. The Post will update this report as the situation develops.

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