Evacuations in Baltimore After Vehicle Found With 1,000 Gallons of Gas: Police

Evacuations are being carried out in downtown Baltimore after a vehicle was found with 1,000 gallons of gas.

Baltimore Police wrote on Twitter that vehicle and pedestrian traffic “is being diverted around the 100 block of E Pratt St downtown” due to the incident.

Officials also wrote that police and fire officials are “currently Investigating a possible suspicious vehicle,” adding that several area streets were blocked off.

Police and Fire Department are currently Investigating a possible suspicious vehicle in the 100 block of East Pratt St. Several streets blocked off. — Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) September 9, 2019

All vehicular & pedestrian traffic is being diverted around the 100 block of E Pratt St downtown due to @BaltimorePolice & @BaltimoreFire activity. #BalTraffic pic.twitter.com/vPr61i5SYe — Baltimore OEM (@BaltimoreOEM) September 9, 2019

According to WJZ, the CBS station in Baltimore, police said they responded at 9:13 a.m. after a gas smell was reported from the van in a parking garage near the T. Rowe Price building.

Police said in a press conference that the van has about 1,000 gallons of gasoline.

“As a precautionary measure, the police have cordoned off the area and the building is being evacuated,” the Downtown Partnership also wrote on Twitter. “Please avoid the area for the time being.”

Mayor Jack Young issued a statement at approximately 1:40 p.m. ET: “At 10:39 a.m., the Baltimore City Fire Department received a threat of a suspicious vehicle parked at a building along the 100 block of East Pratt Street. Upon arrival, Public Safety officials immediately issued an evacuation order and began investigating the suspicious vehicle. Local and federal law enforcement were notified and remain on the scene. All buildings in the surrounding area have been evacuated.”

Due to a bomb threat in downtown Baltimore, service is being suspended at some stops. More information will be provided as soon as it’s available. — CharmCityCirc (@CharmCityCirc) September 9, 2019

The Charm City Circulator also suspended several stops. “Due to a bomb threat in downtown Baltimore, service is being suspended at some stops. More information will be provided as soon as it’s available,” it tweeted. However, police have not issued a statement about a bomb threat.

Other details about the incident are not clear.