Bomb Squad Called To Environmental Center In Woodbury

The St. Paul bomb squad was called to the in Woodbury on Saturday after workers there found a metal canister of ether.

The canister was removed without incident, according to Adam Frederick, environmental program coordinator. If it had been opened, it could have injured the person who did it, but the explosion wouldn’t have been too large, he said.

It’s not the first time the bomb squad has been called into the Woodbury facility since it moved from Oakdale a few years ago, Frederick said. There have been three instances in which the bomb squad was called since September 2009—all involved ether.

Those who unload the items dropped off at the Environmental Center are chemists and know dangerous materials when they see them, Frederick said. Proper procedure was followed, he said, and there was no immediate danger at the facility.

It’s not known who dropped off the galvanized metal canister, which was 30-40 years old—adding to its combustibility.

“People usually just drop stuff off and drive away,” Frederick said.

Frederick said he has never heard of an explosion at an environmental center in the U.S.

Woodbury police and firefighters also responded to the call. A call to the St. Paul Police Department was not returned.

If people find ether in their homes, they should call the , Frederick said.