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Possible Bomb Materials Found In Clearwater

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The Tampa Police bomb squad helped investigators remove materials from a Clearwater house this morning.

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TBO Staff Report

Published: June 7, 2008

Updated: 06/07/2008 06:44 pm

Authorities are analyzing a number of small, explosive-making materials found inside a Clearwater home this morning.

Clearwater Fire & Rescue and Clearwater Police responded to a disturbance call reporting shots fired at 1117 Woodside Ave. shortly after 9 a.m.

There they arrested Andrew Autry Mason on a drug possession charge.

While there, officers noticed a number of chemicals in the house, which appeared to them to be materials for making explosives.

Pinellas County Hazmat Team, the Tampa Bay Bomb Squad, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security all eventually responded to the scene.

Four nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution, and Woodside Avenue was shut down from Jeffords Street to Estelle Road.

One police officer complained of dizziness about a half-hour later and was transported to Morton Plant Mease Hospital as a precaution, according to Elizabeth Daly-Watts, Clearwater public safety spokeswoman.

Daly-Watts said firearms were also found in the home and that additional charges are pending.

She said the investigation was slowed by concern over the contents of a safe in the home.

Authorities now say the materials found pose no immediate danger to surrounding homes and neighbors should be allowed to return home tonight.

A child in the home was taken into state custody, and Laura Mason, Andrew's mother, was charged with child abuse, officer said.

Investigators say the home was very dirty and covered with animal feces. Animal control officers removed several animals from the home, including six dogs.

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