Jason Kandel

Man Hurt in Explosion Near Fullerton Denny's

A 59-year-old man was seriously injured Friday in an explosion on Harbor Boulevard that led to the evacuation of area businesses and shutdown of the thoroughfare.

Police were called to the 1100 block of South Harbor Boulevard at 8:50 a.m. for what was initially thought to be an electrical box explosion, Fullerton police Lt. Jon Radus said.

When officers arrived, they found the unidentified man with serious injuries to his hands and face, Radus said. He said the man was hospitalized but was expected to survive his injuries, which reportedly include missing fingers.

The Orange County sheriff's bomb squad was sent to the scene to determine what exploded, Radus said. Investigators later found another Improvised Explosive Device and rendered it safe, police said.

Fullerton detectives expect to pursue charges against the 59-year-old man, police said. The blast happened in a parking lot so there was no damage to buildings or any other injuries, according to Radus, who said police evacuated area businesses as a precaution.

Harbor Boulevard was shut down from Orangethorpe to Southgate avenues, but was later reopened.

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