Possible grenades found in San Gabriel Valley; nearby school placed on lockdown

Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary School in Rosemead was placed on lockdown on Wednesday afternoon after possible grenades were found at a vacant home nearby, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies. 

They were called to a home near Jackson Avenue and Emerson Place at around 12:20 p.m. after a crew working in the area discovered what they believed were explosives at a property near the school, which is located in the 7500 block of Emerson Place. 

As the investigation got underway, deputies and school officials placed the campus on lockdown. With SkyCal overhead, a group of parents was observed gathering outside the school's entrance. The students appeared to be released from the school at around 3 p.m.

Deputies told CBS LA that the incident had concluded a little before 4 p.m. and that Arson and Explosives Detail detectives were working to determine the nature of the items. 

"The replica grenades appeared to be improvised; however, further examination will be needed to determine if they contained any energetic materials," said LASD officials. "The grenades were safe to be transported away from the location to render safe and for disposal."