CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A portion of 18th Avenue in Clearlake was closed for several hours on Sunday as authorities dealt with a suspicious device found near St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake.

Clearlake Police Sgt. Rodd Joseph said that at about 10 a.m. Sunday police officers responded to a request from Lake County Fire Protection District about a suspicious device found on St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake property that is adjacent to 18th Avenue.

Hospital staff had located the object in a wooded area north of the emergency room parking area and contacted Lake County Fire Protection District, which in turn contacted the Clearlake Police Department, Joseph said.

Joseph said 18th Avenue between Highway 53 and Eureka Avenue was closed for approximately six hours during the incident, however, the hospital remained open.

The Napa County Sheriff’s Office Hazardous Devices Team responded to the scene. Joseph said the team used its robot to move the device to a safer location – that was away from the hospital – on 18th Avenue.

It was there that Joseph said the device was rendered safe by use of a water cannon. 

He said the device has been collected by the Clearlake Police Department for further analysis by state and federal agencies. The device’s exact design and purpose is not yet known.   

The Clearlake Police Department thanked the Lake County Fire Protection District, Cal Fire, Napa County Sheriff’s Office and St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake's administration for their assistance during the incident.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Officer Jared Nixon at 707-994-8251, Extension 543. Callers may remain anonymous.