Marine Drive closed for nearly two hours after rock-splitting device found, thought to be an explosive

Marine Drive was closed for nearly two hours January 15 after a resident reported seeing a possible explosive on the north side of the road across from the pier parking lot. The item turned out to be a Nxburst cartridge, a gas-producing device used to split rock and concrete.

Blaine Police Department (BPD) officers were dispatched at 10:03 a.m. January 15 to the 200 block of Marine Drive where a resident pointed out a device on the north shoulder of the road across from the Blaine Fishing Pier parking lot. According to a detailed police report, the officer said they observed an item to be an orange tube about one foot in length with two wires coming out of one end. 

On a white label on the device, they saw partial writing suggesting, “burst,” “safety cartridge,” “E50060 (7m)” and “fuse,” the police report said. They then returned to their patrol vehicle and searched “E50060” on the internet, which led the officer to find Nxburst. After further investigation, the officer learned the item was a device used for splitting large rocks and is different from a traditional blasting explosive but performs the same essential function.

The Bellingham Police Department’s Hazardous Devices Unit (HDU) was notified and responded. BPD officers shut down Marine Drive to westbound traffic while HDU seized the item after an initial inspection.

The scene was cleared at 11:52 a.m., according to the report.