UPDATED: Police Blow Up 'Suspicious Device,' Clear Scene in Redwood City

UPDATE:

A suspicious package detonated in Redwood City Wednesday evening was later determined not to be an explosive device, according to police.

The 400 block of Oak Avenue was closed around 5 p.m. after a passerby reported a suspicious device on a sidewalk near a fence, according to police.

The item was a “small electronic gadget with batteries taped to it,” according to Lt. Sean Hart.

“The San Mateo County Bomb squad responded and out of an abundance of caution detonated the device using specially designed equipment to contain the blast,” a police alert stated. “It was determined after the detonation that the device was not in fact an explosive device.”

Around 30 residents were displaced for around two hours and others were asked to shelter in place while the bomb squad was on scene, Lt. Greg Farley said.

The street was reopened and residents allowed to return to their homes shortly before 7 p.m., police said.

Anyone with information on the device or this incident is asked to call police at (650) 780-7100.

ORIGINAL STORY AS FOLLOWS:

Redwood City police are responding to a suspicious object in the 400 block of Oak Avenue this evening.

A passerby reported a “small electronic gadget with batteries taped to it” sitting on the sidewalk next to a fence around 5 p.m., according to Police Lt. Sean Hart.

The San Mateo County bomb squad has been called in to investigate.

Oak Avenue is closed between Clinton and Davis streets due to the investigation and drivers are warned to avoid the area.

—Bay City News Service contributed to this report.