Bomb squad removes item from Umatilla Chemical Depot

Published Oct. 6, 2001

Mary Hopkin
Herald Oregon bureau

UMATILLA - An Army bomb squad was called in from Yakima Friday to check out a suspicious item found at the Umatilla Chemical Depot.

Depot spokesman Jim Hackett said the item, which looked like an explosive device, was found by a worker in the incinerator complex about 7:45 a.m.

Workers were not evacuated from the buildings, but the area was cordoned off, Hackett said.

About 100 workers were on duty at the incinerator Friday, fewer than half the normal work crew, said plant manager Phil Harness.

"That was because of the normal Friday-off schedule and because we were doing electrical testing and needed only a minimal work force to support the activity," Harness said.

Hackett would not give specific details about the item but said it did not appear to be a personal item, and no bomb threat was received.

The Army bomb squad arrived at the depot at 11 a.m. and removed the item, which was not a bomb, Hackett said.

"At no time was the public or environment at risk," he said.

Hackett said the Oregon State Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement officials are investigation how the item got in the building.

Security has been heightened at the depot since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Hackett said only depot workers and contractors are allowed on site now. No public tours of the incinerator or the depot are being held.

This is the third time the bomb squad has been called to the depot to investigate suspicious items. Suspicious packages were found at the incinerator construction site in April and July 2000.

 

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