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Suspicious Package Found At McNamara Federal Building In Detroit

DETROIT (WWJ) - Emergency crews rushed downtown Detroit after a suspicious package was found at the McNamara Federal Building.

The discovery was made early Thursday morning. Reporting live from the scene, WWJ's Ron Dewey said surveillance cameras appear to show someone throwing a bag into the bushes near the building before running away.

Officials said just after 7:30 a.m. the item in question had been removed from the scene. Around 7:35 a.m., the WWJ Newsroom overheard a police scanner warning those in the vicinity of the building that they may "hear a small explosion" as the item is detonated.

After using a x-ray to see inside the bag, officials said a water cannon was used to "blow the bag open." They said nothing of a threatening nature was found.

Just after 8:30 a.m., officials gave the all clear and employees were allowed to return inside the building.

A staging area was set up around Michigan Avenue and Third Street where police, fire, EMS, HAZMAT and bomb squad personnel evaluated the situation. At the time, Michigan Avenue was closed between Third Street and Cass Avenue. The road has since reopened.

An investigation is ongoing.

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