Small explosion reported in Meriden storm drain prompts bomb squad response

The state bomb squad responded to Meriden on Monday evening to investigate an explosion in a storm drain.

The explosion was reported just after 6 p.m. in the area of Cross Street and Women’s Way, according to Lt. Darrin McKay of the Meriden Police Department.

Officers responded to the area and found smoke coming from a storm drain. As they investigated, police learned that the explosion did not appear to be “overly large,” McKay said in a statement.

Police could not find anyone who was injured or any property damage as a result of the blast, according to McKay.

While searching the area, officers found “what appeared to be some type of device that was suspicious in nature” in a nearby storm drain, McKay said. Police cordoned off the area while the Connecticut State Police Bomb Squad responded.

The device was removed from the storm drain by the bomb squad and inspected.

“Upon examination, bomb squad personnel determined that the item was not an explosive device,” McKay said.

McKay said the scene was cleared after authorities determined there was “no danger to the community.”