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'Bottle Bomb' Found at Rotary Park

The suspicious item was reported to the Leesburg Police Friday. Loudoun County Fire, Rescue & Emergency Management are continuing their investigation.

 

An already exploded "bottle bomb" was found at Rotary Park on Friday. The homemade explosive contained a plastic bottle that most likely contained household cleaners and tinfoil, which can cause a chemical reaction.

The Leesburg Police arrived to find pieces scattered across the playground after a parent had noticied the suspicious object while pushing his children on a nearby swing. Master Police Officer Christopher Tidmore said he was unable to comment on what was found. Loudoun County Fire, Rescue & Emergency Management took over the investigation, he said.

"From memory, this is the first incident we have had in quite some time," Tidmore said in an email. It is unknown when the "bottle bomb" went off, if it was intended to hurt someone or was just an experiment. 

Either way, if someone notices a bottle bomb or suspicious package it should not be touched, Tidmore said, and local law enforcement should be contacted immediately. 

Leesburg Patch will continue to provide updates to this story as soon as they become available. Sign up for the Leesburg Patch email newsletter to keep up with updates on this story and other news.

Related Topics: Leesburg Police, Loudoun County Fire, Rescue & Emergency Management, Rotary Park, and bottle bomb

LeRoy Flanders Hughes

6:14 pm on Monday, June 25, 2012

You would think that this would be a good opportunity for Law Enforcement to comment on the legality of so-called "bottle bombs." I served in the military and it was common practice for soldiers to create these so-called "bottle bombs" out of ordinary items given to them, for harmless fun. And if you classify a "bottle bomb" as an illegal explosive device, does that mean a diet coke and some mentos is one also????

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Leah M. Kosin

6:21 pm on Monday, June 25, 2012

Thanks, LeRoy. I'll forward your question to the Leesburg Police and perhaps they'll be able to respond.

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