Fireworks strapped inside van mistaken for suspicious device in OC neighborhood

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- A van with fireworks strapped inside the hood caused a bomb scare in an Orange County neighborhood Monday morning.

Around 10:20 a.m., Huntington Beach police responded to a call of a suspicious device found in a van at Morgan Street and Slate Avenue.

The van, which was parked on Morgan Street, was found abandoned with the driver's door open with the keys in the ignition.

Authorities said what appeared to be an explosive device was found strapped to the inside roof of the van and could be seen through a rear window.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department Bomb Squad responded and shut down the street and nearby businesses were evacuated.

The owner of the van returned and said the device was a joke and that it was only several fireworks strapped together. According to authorities, the owner said his van broke down on the street and he had left to find help to move it.

Bomb squad officers took the fireworks and reopened the streets. The owner of the van was then arrested for unrelated charges involving possession of a dirk or dagger and drug paraphernalia.