An investigation is underway after two explosive devices were found inside an apartment in Girardville on Wednesday.
The incident began on Wednesday afternoon around 3:00pm, when a maintenance worker was preparing a vacant apartment at 30 West Main Street in Girardville for an inspection.
According to State Police at the scene on Wednesday, while working, the worker found a box with wires hanging out of it and he had concern that it could be an explosive.
Girardville Borough Police and Fire Chief Frank Zangari had the same concern and called in the State Police to investigate. The apartment building was evacuated and residents who lived nearby were asked to shelter in place. A two-block radius of West Main Street was also closed.
Explosive specialists and the FBI responded to the scene and learned it was an indeed a pipe bomb.
After putting all the appropriate precautions in place, the explosive was detonated inside the apartment.
A secondary search by the fire department after the detonation led to the finding of a second device. That device was also detonated inside the apartment.
Early Thursday morning, the scene was cleared, and West Main Street reopened.
State Police officials and Fire Chief Zangari both stated that an investigation is underway into who lived in the apartment previously to determine how the explosives were in the apartment.
Anyone who may have information on this incident is asked to contact the State Police Barracks at Frackville by calling (570) 874-5300.
