Bellevue Library Evacuated After Batteries Explode

BELLEVUE, WA — An explosion outside the downtown Bellevue library on Saturday evening forced a brief evacuation of the building, according to Bellevue police.

The explosion happened just before 5 p.m., police said, and caused a small fire. The Bellevue police bomb squad investigated and determined that the explosion was caused by a battery pack.

The batteries were apparently removed from an electric-assist bike, which caused them to ignite. Police located a suspect near the library and arrested him on a charge of reckless burning.

Bellevue police had cleared the scene by around 7:15 p.m. on Saturday. The library's usual closing time is 6 p.m. on Saturdays.