Updated: Fort Belvoir Crews Examine Suspicious Device, Render it Harmless

Update 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, 2014

This just in from officials at Fort Belvoir:

Yesterday the EOD Team was notified by ATF that a device had been found at 270 Manassas Park. EOD arrived on-site at 6:02 p.m. and linked up with a Det. Mario Largo of Manassas Police Dept. Det. The item was positively identified as a dummy bomb used in training. The EOD Team Leader collected the item and left Manassas about 6:35.

Update noon Tuesday, May 20, 2014

An explosive ordinance crew from Fort Belvoir was called to the scene to examine the suspicious device.

The device was determined not to be a threat, said Fort Belvoir spokesman Donald Carr.

5:10 p.m. 

A total of five buses that had been held up due to the closure of a portion of Manassas Drive today were finally allowed to leave Manassas Park Elementary School.

Here’s the latest information from Manassas Park police:

MPCS BUS ANNOUNCEMENT (UPDATE 4:45 PM) – As a result of Manassas Drive being closed due to police action the following buses have now left the elementary campus. Buses # 3, 20, 23, 24, 29.

Manassas Park Police Officers are standing by to assist the bus drivers and children with getting through the area and home.

4:16 p.m. 

Two homes have been evacuated as crews work to determine the origin of a suspicious package that was described as a “dummy bomb.”

Here’s more in a statement from Manassas Park police:

On May 19, 2014, at 1442, Manassas Park Police and Fire and Rescue Departments responded to a report of an unidentified package, in the rear yard of a home, in the 200 block of Manassas Drive. Contractors removing a shed located the package.

A small area surrounding the home has been secured until Explosive Ordinance Personnel respond to declare it safe. At this time, two homes have been evacuated.

Manassas Drive from Moseby Drive to Denver Drive is closed.

There no immediate threat to the community.

More updates will be provided as information becomes available.

3:41 p.m. 

MANASSAS PARK, Va. — An evacuation has been ordered in several homes along Manassas Drive.

A suspicious package has been found by a contractor working in the Manassas Park neighborhood. The package was described as a “dummy bomb” inside a silver case, according to initial reports.

Houses on Lambert Drive have been evacuated, and Manassas Drive has been closed between Denver and Courtney drives, according to initial information. Fire and rescue officials are working the incident from a command post on Kent Drive.

We’ll have more as it develops.