Sam's Club, two hotels evacuated after explosives found at construction site in Hagerstown

BALTIMORE -- A Hagerstown Sam's Club and two nearby hotels were evacuated Thursday afternoon after explosives were found during a construction project.

The Maryland State Fire Marshall said the explosives were unearthed while construction workers were moving dirt and rock for a stormwater retention pond behind Sam's Club in the 1700 block of Wesley Boulevard.

The evacuations were conducted out of an abundance of caution and there was no threat to the public, according to authorities.  

Bomb technicians examined the explosives and, after an extensive evaluation, proceeded to perform a controlled detonation of the explosives.

This is the second time the Bomb Squad has responded to this location, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal.

Earlier this year, 0n July 18, the Hagerstown Fire Department and the Office of the State Fire Marshal Bomb Squad responded to the same area after a construction crew unearthed an explosive, fire officials said. 

Bomb technicians used a robot to determine that they could safely remove the explosive from the area to the Beaver Creek quarry, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal.

That's where they were able to disable the explosive, fire officials said.