Fireworks cause bomb scare

A bomb-handling robot on July 4 destroyed a sparkler bomb a man found in the intersection of Osage and College streets.

Independence police say a man called them at 1:26 p.m. about a device he found in the intersection as he was walking north on Osage. The man said it appeared to be some sort of pipe bomb.

So he picked up the device. Then he threw the bomb in the grass at the corner of College and Osage.

He called police, who responded at 1:33 p.m.  

Officers described the device as being covered in black electrical tape with a fuse sticking out the end.

Officers on the scene immediately called for the bomb unit.

Police sealed off the area. Officers with the unit activated a robot to destroy the device. The item did not blow up at the scene.

Further examination classified the device as a homemade sparkler bomb.

The caller told officers he believed someone was trying to hurt him, that he has been receiving threats.

Sparkler bombs typically are made by tightly wrapping a bundle of sparklers together with electrical tape. The result: a loud explosion and fire.