By David Richie - Bee Staff Writer
El Dorado County sheriff's investigators are trying to find out who detonated a homemade bomb near Stonebriar Drive and White Rock Road early Sunday morning.
Several witnesses described a gold Ford Ranger pickup truck with a lumber rack, seen speeding from the area after the explosion and running a red light.
A resident called 911 about 5:45 a.m. Sunday after hearing a loud bang and seeing flames flash at least 6 feet into the air. The explosion also started a small fire.
Firefighters reported a small butane or propane gas cylinder with duct tape on it in the median. Explosives experts were called to the scene and traffic was rerouted.
Sheriff's explosive experts determined the cylinder was part of a device that probably did not function as the bomb maker had hoped, said Lt. Kevin House, department spokesman.
A shattered 40-ounce beer bottle also was found, along with an unexploded container of what the bomb squad experts described as "gelled fuel," indicating the goal may have been to blow up the gas cylinder.
