NORTHAMPTON — Smith College ordered everyone on its campus Friday morning to shelter in place for about two hours after a reported bomb threat, which turned out to be a hoax.
Northampton Police received a call at 5:02 a.m. with a bomb threat targeting an academic building, police said in a public statement, and officers responded along with Northampton Fire Rescue and Massachusetts State Police patrol, fire marshal and bomb squad units.
In an email to the campus community, college administrators said the caller reported “multiple explosive devices” in Burton Hall, and the shelter in place order said to avoid Sabin-Reed Hall, as well.
“Shortly after the report was received, Campus Safety received a report of an unidentified individual potentially dropping and then walking away from an object on campus,” the college’s email reads. “Out of an abundance of caution, and following the earlier bomb threat, Campus Safety issued a shelter in place order.”
Northampton Police said Burton Hall was unoccupied. Nothing suspicious was found and the call was determined to be a hoax.
State police and the Northampton Police detective bureau are investigating the source of the call.
“While there was no physical harm to campus, we recognize that incidents like these can cause significant distress,” the college’s email reads. “Health and wellness resources are available for both students and employees, and we encourage every member of our community to take advantage of these support networks.”
Brian Steele can be reached at bsteele@gazettenet.com.