Bethlehem Bomb Squad Responds to Nazareth Library

The Bethlehem Bomb Squad responded to a call about a suspicious package at  The Memorial Library of Nazareth that turned out to be a false alarm.

About 300 feet surrounding the library was evacuated Wednesday when a suspicious package was found in the vestibule.

According to Mike Rinker, the borough’s emergency management coordinator, the call came in around 3:30 p.m. for the package that he described as a very old case, complete with reinforced hinges.

Causing more concern, Rinker added, was the library's summer reading program, which would have many children and their parents making their way to the library.

The Bethlehem Bomb Squad responded, Rinker said, and fire police assisted by shutting down two blocks -- from Fairview Street to Whitfield Street.

It turns out, Rinker said, a teen boy had been “dumpster diving” in Upper Nazareth and came across the case. When he went to the library on E. Center Street, he put the case down and forgot about it. He then left the library.

“Everyone was very cooperative,” Rinker said about the boy and, later, his father. “It was a misunderstanding, I guess. Better safe than sorry.”

Rinker added that the bomb squad was “very good” about the situation and that the two-hour ordeal went “very smooth.”

Everything went back to business as usual by 6 p.m., Rinker said.

Nazareth Ambulance also assisted the .

Police Chief Thomas Trachta could not be reached by phone because all calls this morning were sent directly to the Northampton County 911 Center.