Suspicious package prompts evacuation at Philadelphia City Hall, no device found, police say

No device was found inside a suspicious package that prompted an evacuation at Philadelphia City Hall on Thursday, police said. The scene has been cleared, officials said.A council staffer first noticed an unattended backpack just after 11 a.m. and alerted authorities when he was unable to find the bag's owner, Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore said.Two K-9s from the Sheriff's Office, which handles security at City Hall, indicated the bag could contain an explosive or materials related to a bomb, which prompted the evacuation.Investigators examined the bag and did not find anything dangerous, Vanore said. Sheriff's Office and police K-9s searched the rest of the building and did not find anything.Law enforcement used security footage to identify who left the bag and will interview that person, Vanore added.The dogs could have detected powder from a gun previously stored in the bag, fireworks or something else.

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