ESCONDIDO, Calif. – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency in San Diego County following the discovery of what police called a virtual bomb factory in an Escondido-area home.
Under the declaration Wednesday, the California Emergency Management Agency will coordinate efforts of all state agencies and provide assistance to San Diego County to remove the hazardous materials.
The declaration came a day after authorities said they plan to burn down the home next week because it is the only way to eliminate the danger from nine to 12 pounds of highly explosive materials found inside.
Sheriff Bill Gore showed slides on Tuesday showing the cluttered home full of explosive powders in jars and clumps on the floor. Authorities also said they found 13 unfinished shrapnel grenades.
Earlier Wednesday, a search warrant was released that said the unemployed software consultant who rented the home told authorities he robbed three banks and tried to rob a fourth.