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WEST VALLEY CITY — A small explosion underneath the vehicle of Utah House of Representatives candidate Robert Burch's vehicle earlier this month was caused by a “catastrophic failure of the vehicle’s air conditioning system” and not by an explosive device, police said Tuesday.
The debris collected was analyzed with the help of the FBI and it was determined to be caused by the vehicle’s air conditioning system, West Valley City police spokesperson Roxeanne Vainuku said Tuesday evening.
“We are grateful that no one was injured and that we have been able to assist the Burch family in determining that this incident was caused by an auto part malfunction and not an explosive device,” Vainuku said, in a statement.
Police began investigating the incident on June 2 after Robert Burch reported an explosion underneath his vehicle as his wife was backing up their vehicle. Burch told members of the media Saturday that he collected plastic pieces and some cloth underneath the vehicle after the explosion caused a loud boom and smoke underneath the vehicle.
Burch took those pieces to a mechanic shop and a car dealership. After experts there couldn’t identify what the pieces were, he took it to West Valley City police and filed a report.
Burch is the Democratic candidate for the Utah House District 30. He said on Saturday that he believed it was an explosive device after experts couldn’t figure out what the plastic pieces were.
"We just assumed that after we took it down (to mechanics) and no one could explain to us what it was that someone had attached something to the car," he said. "The loud bang and all of the white smoke that came from underneath the car — it’s the only thing we could think that it was."
Burch issued a statement through his campaign's Facebook page Tuesday night. In it, he thanked police for their investigation.
"We are very relieved to report that earlier today, we were able to meet with West Valley police, State of Utah and FBI, who have determined that this was not the case," the statement read, in part.
"We are grateful for the swift action of law enforcement and their concern for our safety, and the safety of our community. Thank you again for those who have reached out to show support, as well as the West Valley Police and the FBI. We can now focus on our main goal which is better representation for West Valley."
