Bomb threat prompts lockout at Saratoga Hospital

Police and firefighters were called to Saratoga Springs, N.Y.-based Saratoga Hospital Friday in reference to two alarms, but they ended up facing a bomb threat, according to a Times Union report.

Police told media that authorities initially responded to a simultaneous fire alarm in the hospital's ICU and burglary alarm in the emergency room. The alarms were deemed false, but as police prepared to leave the facility, a man came into the emergency room, claiming he had a bomb in his bag, police said, according to the report. The man left the emergency room and dropped the bag near the entrance.

Saratoga Springs Assistant Chief of Police John Cantone told media the man continued walking west from the hospital, but was eventually stopped and held by officers.

Due to the nature of the threat, the hospital emergency room area and nearby Myrtle Street were closed to vehicles and pedestrians.

A bomb sniffing dog came in and searched the emergency room and duffle bag, but nothing was found.

The hospital activated its internal emergency plan during this time, and no patient care was interrupted, according to the hospital.

The man, who was brought to the emergency room by a clergy member, was not being identified Friday as he was receiving a mental health evaluation, according to the report. He is not believed to be linked to the initial false alarms.

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