Update: Authorities Detonate Pipe Bomb

Update 10 a.m. Wednesday, comments from Walnut Creek PD

Responding authorities closed the Iron Horse Trail for a half-hour Monday afternoon and detonated a pipe bomb in the area of Hillgrade Avenue in Alamo.

There were no injuries, reported Lt. Steve Gorski, bomb team commander for the Walnut Creek Police Department. "It appeared to be a pipe bomb," said Gorski in an email.

The incident, about a mile and a half south of Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek, began when an East Bay Regional Parks District ranger saw the apparent explosive and reported it, said San Ramon Valley Fire District spokesperson Kim French.

The regional parks police called in the Walnut Creek bomb squad, which provides service to other Contra Costa agencies as part of a mutual aid agreement.

EBRPP closed the trail and maintained a perimeter while the bomb squad examined the device. It was rendered safe after about 30 minutes, Gorski reported. EBRPP is investigating the case.

A witness told Patch via email the EBRPD cruisers, as well as Walnut Creek police and EMT trucks were on scene.

"Police waved away walkers and bikers who approached," the witness wrote in the email. "At one point one guy dressed in a green padded suit and helmet ... appeared to be a member of a bomb squad. I also heard fire in the hole and then a short blast."

The apparent pipe bomb was detonated at 4:32 p.m. Monday, French said.