1:57 PM: Police are clearing out of a Pacific Heights neighborhood where the discovery of a suspicious object this morning prompted evacuations and elicited a bomb squad response.
The object was found shortly after 10:30 a.m. inside a portable toilet on a sidewalk in front of a home in the 2100 block of Scott Street where construction is under way, police said.
It turned out to be a container filled with flammable liquid, and police are now investigating the incident as a case of attempted arson of the portable toilet, police spokesman Officer Albie Esparza said.
Shortly after 1:30 p.m., police began leaving the scene and streets in the neighborhood were reopening after the bomb squad determined there was no risk to the public.
The discovery initially prompted police to evacuate some homes and instruct other neighbors to shelter in place.
Scott Street was blocked off between Washington and Sacramento streets, and Clay Street was shut down between Pierce and Divisadero streets.
Esparza said there is no immediate indication that the arson attempt is connected to any previous incidents in which portable toilets were lit on fire.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Police Department’s anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444 or send a tip by text message to TIP411 with “SFPD” in the message.
Dan McMenamin, Bay City News
12:44 PM: Some homes in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights neighborhood have been evacuated as police continue to investigate a report of a suspicious package.
The object was found shortly after 10:30 a.m. in a portable toilet at a residential construction site in the 2100 block of Scott Street, police spokesman Officer Albie Esparza said.
The Police Department’s bomb squad has responded to investigate, Esparza said.
Meanwhile, homes in the immediate area have been evacuated and other neighborhood residents have been told to shelter in place.
Police have blocked off Scott Street between Washington and Sacramento streets and Clay Street between Pierce and Divisadero streets.
A group of schoolchildren who were playing at the far end of Alta Plaza Park, located about a block away, were allowed to stay in the park.
Dan McMenamin, Bay City News
11:59 AM: San Francisco police are investigating a report of a suspicious package in the city’s Pacific Heights neighborhood this morning.
The object was reported in the 2100 block of Scott Street, near Alta Plaza Park, at about 10:35 a.m., police spokesman Officer Albie Esparza said.
The Police Department’s bomb squad has responded to investigate, Esparza said.
Police have shut down some streets in the area, including Clay Street between Scott and Divisadero streets and the intersection of Scott and Sacramento streets, he said.
Dan McMenamin, Bay City News
