Posted on 07/02/2007 12:26:10 PM PDT by Ironfocus
Orlando - Authorities say a device similar to a pipe bomb has exploded in a rubbish bin at a remote Walt Disney World parking lot.
No one was injured and no serious damage was reported in what officials believe was an isolated incident.
Orange County Sheriff Kevin Beary said an employee heard a loud noise and saw white smoke coming from the can near the downtown Disney shopping and entertainment district.
Beary said: "We've recovered a very crude, homemade, low-level device. Because of the time and location of the event, we do not believe this incident was designed to cause significant property damage or injury. We also believe this is an isolated incident."
Beary said investigators were still trying to determine what the device was made of, but "end caps" - typical of pipe bombs - were found at the scene.
Beary said federal authorities had also looked into the incident.
He said authorities were on high alert because of the airport attack in Scotland and attempted car bombings in London, combined with the July Fourth holiday this week.
If true, it is worrying, it may be a dry run for something bigger.
That’s rubbish
It may be a terrorism dry run, or it may be a firecracker.
What a load of garbage
Gonna be a long week of “isolated incidences” I’m afraid.
Oh! Chertoff says we are safe...nuffin to worry about..
I don’t see how this could be a dry run for terrorism. It doesn’t sound like it was big enough to do anything and why test a pipe bomb where someone might observe you? My guess is that it was kids with firecrackers.
Probably some pimply-faced teenage wannabe.
Orlando Sentinel is carrying it as their lead story now.
I truly believe they have not pulled something a stunt like that because Dubya and Cheney made it quite clear that Mecca would be nuked in another 9-11 like event. IMHO of course.
Doubt this is anything. Way too small scale.
Likely just a filing for that stupid Hamas Cartoon. They killed off Mickey...now they are going after Donald..DUCK!
When did they do that?
I guess I missed that part of their message because it was obscured by their "Islam is a religion of peace" crap.
Talk about a soft target...
Got that right. The mouse is a sitting duck.
LOL! It finally made the “news”...
The explosion, which happened at about 12:30 a.m. at the Downtown Disney complex, blew the doors off the trash receptacle, but no one was injured.
Beary said investigators were still trying to determine what the device was made of, but "end caps" typical of pipe bombs were found at the scene.
After an investigation, Orange County sheriff's officials said they were confident that device was not terrorism related.
Local 6 has learned that detectives are looking into the possibility that a prankster or a disgruntled employee caused the explosion.
"Detectives are also looking into whether the device may be connected to a recent crackdown at Downtown Disney targeting rowdy teens," Local 6's Mike DeForest said. "In the past few weeks, the sheriff's office and Disney security have issued dozens of trespass warnings hoping to deter what has been described as a gang-like presence at the entertainment complex."
"Folks, I got to tell you, there is enough on the plate right now -- internationally and domestically," Orange County Sheriff Kevin Beary said. "We have nuts everywhere. And this type of activity always seems to spawn itself around the holidays. So, we are going to be very vigilant and do the best we can."
The Orange County Sheriff's Office said officers are on heightened alert around Disney property and other tourist areas.
No Disney properties were closed because of Monday's incident.
Disney spokeswoman Kim Prunty emphasized no one was hurt.
"We work closely with law enforcement to continue to offer a safe environment," she said.
Downtown Disney is modeled after the downtown of an American city, and no price is charged for admission.
Anyone with information concerning the explosion is urged to call the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Source: local6
One of my favorite stores.
*sigh* Indeed...
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