By: Richard L. Smith
Authorities in Newark responded to a concerning discovery on Wednesday afternoon after reports of a suspicious item led to the deployment of the city’s emergency operations team.
According to a statement released by the Newark Police Department, officers and firefighters were dispatched to the 200 block of 1st Avenue at approximately 3:23 p.m. on May 14, after a possible explosive device was found inside a vacant apartment.
Specialized units used an explosive-detection robot to assess the object.
Upon inspection, the device was found to consist of flares that had been taped together and connected to a cell phone, raising initial concerns of an improvised explosive.
Authorities safely dismantled the object, confirming there was no active threat.
The scene was secured, and no injuries were reported.
The incident remains under active investigation as officials work to determine how the device ended up at the location and whether any criminal intent was involved.