An “explosive device” was found following an overnight explosion at a building in Bridgeport, Conn. that forced the evacuations of more than 100 residents and prompted an investigation by the FBI and the Connecticut State Police Bomb Squad, authorities said.
First responders were called to 1512 North Ave. around 12:30 a.m. following reports of smoke coming from the third floor of a residential building, according to Bridgeport police Capt. Kevin Gilleran.
When police officers and firefighters arrived at the scene, they found what appeared to be damage from an explosion that had gone off in a hallway.
About two dozen residents of the building and more than 100 people in buildings nearby were evacuated to a nearby school, Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim said in a press conference around 8 a.m., adding there were no reported injuries.
The Geraldine Johnson School, which was set up as a temporary shelter, was closed for the day.
According to Ganim, the explosion appeared to have been intentional.
“It looks like someone created something to enhance or allow for an explosion,” the mayor said. “Some of the pictures of the doorway look like [the result of] a pretty good explosion that may have rocked the building.”
No arrests have been made. A person of interest was identified and located by police, Ganim said. Detectives have spoken with the person and are working to determine if more people were involved.
Ray Hernandez, a property manager of the apartment told CTPost the explosion occurred outside the apartment and destroyed its door. A teenager, who was inside the apartment at the time, was not hurt.
While no injuries were reported, this is still a “very serious incident,” Ganim told reporters.
