Pest Control Device Causes Evacuation At Mount Vernon City Hall

UPDATE — The "suspicious package" found at Mount Vernon City Hall this morning was actually a pest control device outside the Building Department.

The fire is considered suspicious and is under investigation, Mayor Richard Thomas told the press.

“I want to thank and praise the men and women from the Mount Vernon Police and Fire Departments and the Westchester County bomb squad who went into harm’s way today to keep our people safe. There were two separate incidents here at City Hall. A suspicious package and a suspicious fire.

The danger is over. There were no injuries. The building was reopened at 12:45. Again, thanks to our police and firefighters and the County Bomb team. City Hall was evacuated at 11 a.m. after our police detail officer in the building identified a suspicious package outside the Buildings Department on the second floor.

A team from the county’s bomb squad was immediately dispatched. Their investigation found that the object was a pest control device. As that situation was being brought under control, roughly about 10 minutes after the bomb squad had made its determination and people had been let back in the building, smoke was smelled coming from inside the building department, as it turned out from a fire in filing cabinets.

Fire Department responded and City Hall was evacuated for a second time. Fire condition is being described as suspicious and is under investigation.”

MOUNT VERNON, NY — Mount Vernon City Hall was evacuated for a short time Monday morning after an strange package was received. Right after everyone returned a fire was discovered.

Mayor Richard Thomas and the Mount Vernon Police Department will provide an update at 12:30 p.m.

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