A suspicious package found at Fire Station 69 on Friday prompted authorities to close off the first block of Embury Street, adjacent to Sunset Boulevard, as well as Carey Street for several hours. Firefighters discovered a carbon dioxide cartridge and mousetrap wrapped in cellophane at about 11:15 a.m., said Fire Station Captain Ketaily, adding that because of the unusual nature of the package LAFD arson and LAPD bomb squad units were called to the scene. Fire trucks were pulled out of the station and parked on the street but neighboring homes and employees of Coldwell Banker (across the street from Fire Station 69) were not evacuated. Employees and residents were told by authorities that they were not evacuated because of the small size of the package. An LAPD bomb squad robot was supposed to go into the fire station and pick up the suspicious package but had technical difficulties. In response, a member of the bomb squad donned a special suit, weighing 80 pounds, and was sent into the building with a ‘hot stick’ (a long sticklike object with pinchers on the end that would permit the man to pick up the object from a distance.) At about 2:20 p.m., after the bomb squad member entered the station a small explosion was heard. Officers on scene said the object was placed in a container and blown up. Officials said the remains of the object would be analyzed for evidence and possible fingerprints. No one was injured during the incident.
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