OAKLEY -- Authorities are investigating a mysterious chemical that was used to cause a small explosion outside the Oakley Police Department late Sunday, forcing two officers to be treated a local hospital with burning eyes and throats.Several officers were changing their clothes about 11 p.m. during shift changes inside the police department when they were startled by a loud boom.
Fearing that it was a shotgun blast, three officers, guns drawn, scrambled out to investigate.
Oakley police Officer Mike Lee and Contra Costa County sheriff's Sgt. Tom Conger were immediately overcome by the fumes near the front entrance to the station, said Oakley Sgt. Jeff Billeci.
The officers complained of burning eyes, throats and nasal passages. They were rushed via ambulance to Sutter Delta Medical Center in Antioch, where they were treated and released.
The explosion did not damage to the building. Officers said the fumes seemed to dissipate quickly.
Officers did not see anyone during a search afterward.
Early today, a county hazardous materials unit collected samples at the scene, which were to be analyzed at a crime lab in Martinez.
Big difference. This sounds like kids in Oakley.