PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia City Hall is currently being evacuated following the discovery of a suspicious package. A spokesperson for the mayor's office confirmed the ongoing evacuation procedures as authorities work to secure the immediate area.
UPDATED - The all-clear has been given after Philadelphia City Hall was evacuated Thursday morning following a security scare involving a suspicious package.
The evacuation was initiated during the first Philadelphia City Council session since members returned from their summer break. Action News reporter Maggie Kent was inside the building covering the legislative session when officials ordered everyone to exit.
The alert was triggered after a Philadelphia Sheriff’s Department K-9 detected a "hit" on an unattended package located inside the City Hall caucus room. After the alert, building security and the mayor's office ordered an immediate evacuation of the premises and established a safety perimeter around the historic landmark.
Members of the Philadelphia Police Department's bomb squad arrived on the scene to inspect the container. Following an extensive examination, investigators confirmed that the box contained no harmful materials or explosive devices.
Authorities declared the scene completely cleared shortly after noon. No injuries were reported, and normal operations resumed inside the building later that afternoon.
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