Blast rocked transformer

Friday, Feb. 1, 2002 | 9:55 a.m.

An explosive device that prompted officials to order the evacuation of a movie theater Wednesday afternoon, caused only minor damage to an electric transformer behind the building and likely detonated hours before the damage was discovered, Metro Police said.

A Nevada Power Co. repair crew went to the ground-level transformer in the area of Eastern Avenue and Pebble Road about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday and found that the exterior of a meter had been damaged. The workers then contacted Metro, said Andrea Smith, a power company spokeswoman.

Officers arrived and suspected an explosive device of some kind was used. The nearby Regal Cinemas were evacuated while explosive-detection dogs checked the area.

Police determined an explosive device damaged the transformer, but no one reported hearing an explosion.

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