A firefighter takes precautions in opening a suspicious package that had been reported to be smoking at the post office in Clearlake Oaks, Calif., on Friday, January 6, 2012. Photo by Gary McAuley.

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – Firefighters from two local fire agencies responded to the Clearlake Oaks Post Office Friday morning after staff there reported a suspicious, smoking package.

Northshore Fire and Lake County Fire responded to the scene at around 8:30 a.m., according to Northshore Fire Chief Jay Beristianos.

Beristianos said a post office employee had moved a package and noticed that it began to smoke.

The package was taken outside and firefighters arrived to handle it, Beristianos said.

Inside the box they found a propane torch, which Beristianos said was being shipped along with drug paraphernalia.

He said the propane torch started to burn the cardboard when the box was moved.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office took possession of the box and its contents, according to Beristianos.

There was no word from the sheriff’s office on Friday regarding the origin of the package or who was responsible for shipping it.

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Firefighters look into an parcel that they opened after it was reported to be smoking by staff at the Clearlake Oaks Post Office. Photo by Gary McAuley.

Once firefighters opened up the package they found a propane torch and drug paraphernalia. Photo by Gary McAuley.