Press Release
Northampton Evacuates City Building After Discovery of Dormant Explosives
NORTHAMPTON — A city building was evacuated Thursday following the discovery of military munitions in the basement, sparking concerns about public safety. Fortunately, two of the items were found to pose no hazard, while the risk from a third item remains undetermined.
The incident unfolded around 3:15 p.m. when a 911 call was placed regarding three pieces of what appeared to be unexploded military ordnance at Memorial Hall, located near City Hall on Main Street. Emergency services promptly responded, including officers from the Northampton Police, Massachusetts State Police, and the Northampton Fire Department.
Jake Wark, spokesperson for the state’s fire marshal, provided an update on the situation. State Police bomb technicians conducted a thorough visual inspection and utilized x-ray diagnostics on the munitions. Two items were confirmed to be safe, while the operability of the third item could not be established. This item has since been removed from the scene for safe disposal offsite.
The evacuations affected several city services housed in Memorial Hall, which includes the Central Services Department, veterans services, human resources, and mail services. Emergency responders managed to ensure that all safety protocols were observed during the evacuation, but Northampton’s emergency officials were unavailable for comment on Friday.
As investigations continue, local authorities are reminding residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious items that could pose a safety risk. The swift response from emergency services likely prevented any potential hazards from escalating during this incident.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
