09/19/2007 Mill Valley
A bomb squad Wednesday morning detonated commercial-grade fireworks in a Mill Valley field after firefighters and neighbors were jolted awake before dawn by a series of violent blasts.
At about 10 a.m. the University of California bomb squad exploded the fireworks cache, described as two sets of 2-inch, round plastic tubes - five deep and eight across - mounted on a plywood base.

The cache - and a fuse device with cigarettes attached - was found within feet of the Eucalyptus Knolls condominium complex just off Hamilton Drive across from Bayfront Park.

At about 5:30 a.m. sleeping firefighters reported awakening to the sound of seven to eight loud explosions. When they arrived, what they found prompted them to call the bomb squad.

Authorities used a reverse 911 system to call about 250 households to warn residents of the 10 a.m. detonation. About a dozen residents were asked to leave their homes during the blast.

Mill Valley police are investigating. If suspects are caught, illegal fireworks charges could be sought.