Explosion destroys mailboxes, jolts people across Lompoc

LOMPOC, Calif. - An explosion destroyed a set of mailboxes outside a business complex in Lompoc on Wednesday night.

It happened on the 1600 block of W. Central Avenue, but the blast was strong enough that several people reported hearing or feeling it on the other side of the city, or several miles outside of it.

Some people drove to the site of the explosion Thursday to survey the scene, which was still covered in debris.

The explosion sent metal scraps flying across the area and into nearby buildings, breaking at least two windows.

The nearest building is currently vacant, though electrical contractors are working in the building during the day to prepare it for a CBD Oil business that is set to move in.

“That could've killed somebody,” said Gill Clark, foreman with ACS Electrical Contractors. “We’re lucky. We have one of our guys that’s staying here on-site as security at night. So he could’ve been walking by and it could’ve got him.”

No one was injured. Lompoc police are still investigating the incident.

“Could be just mischief, which obviously is not good, or it could be somebody targeted,” said Sgt. Scott Morgan with Lompoc Police.

“At this point, we don’t know… Where it was located I don’t think it was intended for anyone to get hurt, which is a good sign. But yeah, people should be aware. If they see anything suspicious in the area they live, in or in that area.”

Property owners told NewsChannel that they have surveillance video of someone placing a bomb-like object at the mailboxes. They plan on sharing that video with authorities.