6 Essex homes evacuated, bomb squad called in after cleaning crew finds 'unspecified ordnance'
ESSEX -- Six homes on Wood Street in Essex were evacuated Monday after an "unspecified ordnance" was found, police said. A State Police Bomb Squad responded quickly to the scene around 10:30 a.m.
According to police, a cleaning crew working at a recently sold home discovered "what appeared to be an explosive shell."
Based on the initial findings, Essex Police and Fire closed the road, ordered the evacuations, and blocked off part of Chebacco Lake. The FBI was also involved in the investigation.
"The round was seized and will be handed over to a U.S. Navy explosive ordnance unit for disposal," police said. No other suspicious items were found.
The evacuations were out of an abundance of caution, police said. Everyone has been able to return to their homes and police cleared the scene by 1:30 p.m.
No one was hurt and there is no danger to anyone at this time.
"Old, unexploded items like this mortar shell can be very dangerous, but that is why we have established policies and procedures for responding to these incidents safely and in collaboration with the appropriate outside agencies," said Police Chief Paul Francis.
No charges will be filed, police said, since nobody is living in the home right now.