A pressure cooker was found at the Rowley commuter rail station, resulting in an evacuation and train stoppage. —Rowley Police Department

The Rowley Commuter Rail Station was closed for just over an hour Monday morning when a pressure cooker was found left on a bench, according to officials.

The pressure cooker was found to be “harmless,” according to a news release from the Rowley police and fire departments. A Keolis commuter rail official noted that the station was closed around 6 a.m. and reopened around 7:20 a.m.

Pressure cookers can be used to make improvised explosive devices, such as the ones used in the 2013 Boston marathon bombing. Several similar devices caused a scare in the New York City subway last month.


Authorities evacuated the Rowley station and the MBTA Transit Police Bomb Squad was called in to investigate, the release said. Police on scene noticed a pile of free items – a picture shows a microwave, coffee maker and some other kitchen items – placed on the curb on Depot Way.

“It is believed that someone took the item from the pile of discarded ‘free’ items and placed it on the bench,” according to the release.

While authorities investigated, commuter rail trains were delayed.

Newburyport Line Train 154 (6:25 am from Newburyport) is expected to depart Newburyport behind schedule due to police activity on the right of way. Updates to follow. — MBTA Commuter Rail (@MBTA_CR) September 30, 2019

Newburyport Line Train 154 (6:25 am from Newburyport) has departed Newburyport and is operating 1 hr & 10 min late due to earlier police activity near Rowley. — MBTA Commuter Rail (@MBTA_CR) September 30, 2019

Newburyport Train 156 (7:00 am from Newburyport) is operating 20-30 minutes behind schedule between Ipswich and North Station due to earlier police activity near Rowley. — MBTA Commuter Rail (@MBTA_CR) September 30, 2019

Service along the line was said to be back to normal around 9:42 a.m., according to the commuter rail on Twitter.

Normal service has resumed on the Newburyport Line trains. Thank you for your patience. — MBTA Commuter Rail (@MBTA_CR) September 30, 2019

Homes on nearby Depot Way were also evacuated as a safety precaution. Residents have since been allowed to go back, the release said.