Possible Explosive Device Found on Oklahoma Gas Line

OKEMAH, Okla. (The Blaze/AP) - FBI and Oklahoma Highway Patrol bomb technicians are en route to Okfuskee County where a possible explosive device was found on a natural gas line.

Special Agent Clay Simmonds said the Okfuskee County Sheriff's Office notified the agency about 11 a.m. Wednesday that a deputy had discovered what he thought was an improvised explosive device attached to the gas line, located south of Okemah.

He says the deputy concluded it might be a bomb after seeing a timer attached to it.

Simmonds says the gas line has been cleared as a precaution. Once bomb technicians render the device safe, FBI agents will look into who may have put it there.

He says Oklahoma Highway 27 has been closed in the area.

Update:

ABC News reports:

The device, which a spokesperson for the Okfuskee County Sheriff's Office told ABC News was "the real thing," was discovered this morning by an official with Oklahoma's native Muscogee (Creek) Nation outside the small town of Okemah and reported to the sheriff's office.

Bomb technicians from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol along with several agents of the FBI and the sheriff's office responded to the report and were able to remove the device from the pipeline to examine it at an "inert" location, FBI spokesperson Clay Simmonds told ABC News.

"They are currently examining the device and, should it turn out to be a legitimate explosive device, they will render it safe," Simmonds said.

Simmonds described the device as small pipe bomb-like, about one foot by one foot with visible wires and a timing device. While the device is still under careful investigation, Simmonds said that the initial impression by investigators was that it could have only done limited, if any, damage to the pipeline.

A highway that runs parallel to the gas pipe has been closed off and is expected to stay closed until the device has been rendered harmless and investigators sweep for a possible second device, Simmonds said.

Simmonds said there are no suspects at this time but will start the investigation once the area is secured.

News4 brings us the report:

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