Bomb Hidden in Newspaper Injures California Man

A Northern California man who went outside to retrieve a newspaper from his driveway yesterday morning was injured when a device hidden inside the paper exploded, authorities said. The blast forced the evacuation of about 50 surrounding homes in Vacaville, which is located between San Francisco and Sacramento. It wasn't clear if the man was the target of the device, or if the explosion was a result of a random attack, a city spokesman said.

The man's daughter-in-law told reporters he had cooked breakfast and was waiting for family to arrive when he walked out to get the paper. The man, who authorities haven't identified, was airlifted to a hospital. The extent of his injuries is unknown. A bomb squad and other officials helped search the area, but no other explosive devices were found. Residents from most of the evacuated homes were allowed to return late in the afternoon. (More newspaper stories.)