Bomb threat prompts evacuations in West City; no explosive device found

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

WEST CITY, Ill., (KBSI) — A bomb threat at a local business late Sunday night prompted evacuations and a large law enforcement response before authorities determined the scene was safe, police said.

The West City Dispatch Center received the threat at 10:31 p.m. on Nov. 16. Officers from the West City and Benton police departments, firefighters from both communities, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department and the Illinois State Police responded, evacuated nearby businesses and secured the area.

The Illinois Secretary of State Police Bomb Squad was called to the scene and used explosive-detection K-9 units to search the building and surrounding area.

No device was found, and authorities cleared the scene at 12:02 a.m.

West City police thanked all assisting agencies for their response.