Apparent Bomb Found Near Renton Library

A bomb squad exploded an apparent homemade bomb near the Renton library Wednesday afternoon after a parks employee found it while working on the Cedar River Trail.

At about 12:30 p.m., the employee spotted the device in the ivy about 50 feet northwest of the library and called 911, said Alex Pietsch, economic development administrator for the city.

The Port of Seattle bomb unit was called in, along with Renton police and fire and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The library was evacuated, and authorities set up a 200-foot perimeter around the device. The bomb unit sent in a robot to detonate it, Pietsch said. A camera on the robot showed that it appeared to be a homemade explosive device.

There was a small pop and some smoke when it was destroyed at 2:13 p.m.

Mill Avenue and Bronson Way were closed for a time but have now reopened. A portion of the Cedar River Trail remains closed.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Renton Police at (425) 430-7500, reference case 11-6291.