By Steve Klamkin WPRO News
The Licht Judicial Complex in Providence was evacuated for more than an hour Tuesday morning on a report of a suspicious suitcase left outside that was blown up as a precaution by the Rhode Island state bomb squad.
Lawyers, witnesses, judges and other court personnel milled about in Memorial Park across South Main Street while members of the bomb squad analyzed the suitcase, and made the decision to detonate it in a controlled explosion a short time after 11:00 A.M.
“Fire in the hole!,” someone shouted, seconds before a loud “boom!” could be herd for blocks around.
Police determined that the suitcase contained clothing.
Court sheriffs, who usually keep order inside the court, were directing traffic and blocked traffic leading to the corner of the courthouse at College and Benefit Streets where the suitcase was discovered. Afterward, two Superior Court judges joined by security personnel came out of the building to inspect the area where the suitcase was found.
Emery Bradshaw Thomas, who was visiting from Maine at nearby Rhode Island School of Design as a prospective student, responded with a hushed, “Wow!” when told of the controlled detonation. He was undeterred from coming to college in Providence.
“No, no, it seems like Providence is generally a safe place. It doesn’t scare me, no,” he said.
The bomb squad is operated by the office of the Rhode Island State Fire Marshal
