Some homes in San Francisco's Pacific Heights neighborhood were evacuated Monday as police investigated a report of a suspicious substance.
The substance was found shortly after 10:30 a.m. in a portable toilet at a residential construction site in the 2100 block of Scott Street, police spokesman Officer Albie Esparza said.
The police department's bomb squad responded to investigate, Esparza said. It turned out to be a container filled with flammable liquid, and police are now investigating the incident as a case of attempted arson of the portable toilet, police spokesman Officer Albie Esparza said.
Homes in the immediate area were evacuated and other neighborhood residents were told to shelter in place.
Police blocked off Scott Street between Washington and Sacramento streets and Clay Street between Pierce and Divisadero streets.
Esparza said there is no immediate indication that the arson attempt is connected to any previous incidents in which portable toilets were lit on fire.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Police Department's anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444 or send a tip by text message to TIP411 with "SFPD" in the message.
Bay City News contributed to this report.
