Batteries in package explode at San Diego FedEx warehouse; no injuries reported

Batteries blamed for blast at San Diego FedEx

SAN DIEGO — San Diego authorities say a package explosion at a FedEx warehouse appears to have been sparked by batteries and was not intentional.

City fire spokesman Maurice Luque (loo-KAY’) says two lithium batteries in a box made contact and exploded shortly after 6 a.m. Wednesday at the building in the Miramar neighborhood.

However, FedEx Corp. spokesman Rob Boulware says the batteries were nickel-cadmium.

Police Lt. Dan Christman say employees who were sorting packages were about 6 feet away from the cardboard box when it exploded. They reported a flash and a smell like gunpowder, but nobody was hurt.

The building was evacuated until a police bomb squad determined the cause of the blast.

Boulware says the only damage was to the package, and FedEx is working to identify the shipper.