Police investigating incendiary device found in van

SALT LAKE CITY — A Salt Lake man found some type of incendiary device in his van that police say was designed to ignite when he turned his car on.

The device did not work, but now Salt Lake police are looking for whoever planted it.

About 9:30 a.m. Monday, a man got into his van at 557 S. 600 West. He started the engine, but then noticed an "incendiary device ... with the purpose to start a fire once the engine started," said Salt Lake fire spokesman Jasen Asay.

Although the device did not work, Asay said investigators believe it was real. He said the device was likely intended to start a fire as opposed to create a large explosion.

Asay declined to give details about what kind of device was found.

Investigators were interviewing the van owner Tuesday to find out if he had been threatened lately and were following up on a couple of leads, Asay said.

— Pat Reavy

Twitter: DNewsCrimeTeam