Improvised Explosive Devices Detonate Near Coal Ridge Middle School in Firestone, Colorado

Firestone, Colo. -- Residents of Firestone were stunned to receive an emergency broadcast over the telephone at 11:55 a.m. on Sunday, September 20. Residents were notified of an Improvised Explosive Device being detonated in the area of Coal Ridge Middle School in Firestone. The call to residents was placed by an automated emergency system recently instituted by the City of Firestone.

Imagine my shock. I was sitting at home with my family enjoying a peaceful and relaxing Sunday morning when I, along with most residents of Firestone, received this automated phone call. The recorded message told us that at 4:30 AM on Sunday September 20, 2009 an Improvised Explosive Device detonated in the athletic field east of Coal Ridge Middle School, 6201 Booth Dr. in Firestone.

The Frederick Firestone Police Departments responded to the detonation. During the investigation into the explosion police located two suspicious containers in the field east of the school. The containers were determined to be un-detonated explosive devices. The Greeley Police Department bomb squad responded to the scene and neutralized the devices.

Later that same morning, at 8:30 a.m., a resident of Firestone reported to the police that they found suspicious material in their driveway several blocks east of the school. Fire department officials determined the suspicious material to be the remnants of an Improvised Explosive Device.

In a telephone interview with Chief David Montgomery of the Firestone Police Department, I was told that at least ten devices were detonated between the hours of 4:00 AM and 4:30 AM and three other un-detonated devices were located by police. The devices were all small explosive devices created from common household cleaners and were made in 8 oz. plastic water bottles. One of the un-detonated devices was made from a aluminum soda can. Chief Montgomery said that these devices were all detonated in the field and streets east of Coal Ridge Middle School.

Debris from the devices was recovered in the field and streets east of the school. No property including the school was damaged by the multiple explosions and nobody was injured by the devices. At the time of the explosions the school was closed for the weekend.

Firestone, Colorado, is a small suburban community located 30 miles north of Denver where incidents like this are relatively unheard of. Chief Montgomery told me he believes this is probably the work of local neighborhood children which he hopes his department will have identified by early Monday. The police department is looking at video and other information that may assist them in this identification. Residents of Firestone were asked to report any suspicious glass, plastic or aluminum beverage containers found in the area. At this time no suspect information was shared with the public and no reason for the explosions is known. Citizens were advised to report any information to the Firestone Police Department at 303-833-0811.

Sources:

Chief of Police David Montgomery - Firestone Police Department

Town of Firestone community notification system.