ATF Investigates Possible Pipe Bomb Explosion In Maryland

BALTIMORE (AP) -- A pipe bomb exploded near a parked car in northeast Baltimore early Tuesday, closing a major rush hour artery, city police said.

No one was injured but the 1994 Ford Ranger was heavily damaged, police spokesman Troy Harris said. The explosive device went off at about 5:30 a.m. in the 3200 block of Taylor Ave., he said.

Initially, the Baltimore Fire Department was called to investigate a suspected car fire, said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives spokeswoman Kelly Long. But firefighters called the arson and explosives unit when they saw that it was an explosion, she said.

Investigators were still trying to determine if the explosion was caused by a device or if the car exploded on its own, Long said.

ATF agents remained on the scene Tuesday afternoon, she said, but once the on-scene investigation is complete, the truck will be towed to the ATF national lab in Ammendale.