Pipe bomb explodes in garbage can before N.J. 5K; no injuries

An explosive device detonated in the New Jersey beach town of Seaside Park this morning as thousands of people were getting ready to run a 5k charity race, officials said.

Bomb-sniffing dogs completed a sweep in Seaside Park at the site of an explosion near a 5K charity run route, and found no additional devices. Two more pipe bombs in the can failed to explode.

The festival was cancelled after authorities reportedly conducted a search of the area, according to a report by 101.5.

No one has been injured and no structures have been damaged, according to Della Fave.

Pieces were blown as far as 150 feet away from the explosion, Larkin said.

“The Ocean County Prosecutors Office Arson Unit is on scene and will be assisted by FBI, ATF and New Jersey State Police Bomb Squad (NJSP)”.

Registration problems at the starting line delayed the start of the race, which meant no one was near the garbage can when the explosion happened, a law enforcement official said.

Prior to the explosion, the Seaside Semper Five 5K Charity Run was canceled when a suspicious backpack was found on the planned route. We’d like to thank the Seaside Park Police Department, all the first responders and emergency personnel for their quick action.

The garbage can contained several “pipe bomb-type devices” wired together, Fave said. Attorney General Christopher Porrino and Col. Rick Fuentes, superintendent of the state police, briefed Gov. Chris Christie on the investigation. Authorities said they do not have any suspects.