Pocatello building evacuated after discovery of artillery shell in basement
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POCATELLO — The Bannock County Veterans Memorial Building in Pocatello has been evacuated after an artillery shell was discovered in the basement.
It happened around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at 300 North Johnson Avenue, according to city spokeswoman Marlise Irby.
Employees were reportedly working on some repairs and found the artillery in a closet.
A bomb-sniffing K9 indicated the shell was possibly a live round. The building was evacuated as a safety precaution.
Irby reports North Johnson Avenue is currently blocked to traffic.
Police were still on scene, as of 1 p.m. The area is secure but authorities are awaiting the arrival of a bomb squad from Mountain Home to render the artillery inert. The bomb squad is expected to arrive around 4 p.m.
“Once the device is rendered safe, the area around the Veterans Building will be open. For the time being, please stay out of the area around the Veterans Building,” the Pocatello Police Department says in a news release.
EastIdahoNews.com will provide updates as we receive them.