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Building Closed After Tuesday Scare At SUNY Fredonia

A bomb threat forced the evacuation of Thompson Hall at SUNY Fredonia on Tuesday afternoon. The threat was later unfounded after K-9 units searched the building. Photo by John D’Agostino

FREDONIA — A bomb threat reported Tuesday afternoon halted several classes Tuesday at the State University of New York at Fredonia.

A subsequent search by police at Thompson Hall revealed the threat to be unfounded, according to school officials.

Various law enforcement agencies responded to the scene around 1 p.m. as students and staff were instructed to evacuate the building. A search by several K-9 units inside the building began at 2 p.m. and lasted for a little more than an hour.

A perimeter was set up around the building by University Police, New York State Police and Fredonia Police to keep students away.

With the evacuation, students and staff were asked to leave their personal belongings inside the building. At times, some students asked about the situation and about retrieving their items.

Classes were canceled for the afternoon, and later resumed at 5 p.m. Students and staff were allowed to go back in and gather their belongings just after 3:30 p.m.

K-9 units from Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Erie counties assisted in the building search. A K-9 unit from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was also on hand. The Fredonia Fire Department was also at the scene on standby.

Officials didn’t say where the bomb threat was specifically located other than it was inside the building.

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