A large explosion startled residents of the Rainbow Hotel in the 800 block of south Beach Boulevard in Anaheim early this morning, prompting the evacuation of three buildings and the deployment of the Orange County Sheriff's bomb squad. According to Anaheim Police Spokesman Sgt. Bob Dunn, at around 2 a.m., police were in the area recovering a stolen car when the blast occurred.
“They heard an explosion and saw some windows blown out in the Rainbow Hotel,” Dunn said adding that three rooms were effected. Residents of the Rainbow, as well as two nearby hotels were evacuated. KABC-TV Channel 7 is reporting today that no injuries occured and that the investigation into what caused explosion is ongoing.
But displaced residents standing outside the hotel told the Weekly they heard a muffled popping sound as well as a foul odor coming from the building following the explosion. The area is well known as a stomping ground for drug dealers and prostitutes.
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Adding to the excitement, a motorist heading south on Beach Boulevard ignored a roadblock set up by police.
“He thought he could fit through the cars even though the street was shut down,” Sgt. Dunn said.
The driver collided with one police cruiser ripping off its front bumper before coming to a stop on Beach south of Orange Avenue. Officers could be seen administering the driver a field sobriety test. Stay tuned for updates tomorrow.
