Published: July 27, 2009 11:54 pm      

Library evacuated after ‘bang’

Police called after loud noise in stairwell of downtown branch

At least two juvenile males were most likely responsible for setting off some sort of fireworks inside the Kokomo Main Library Monday, library workers told Kokomo police.

Police immediately evacuated the building as a precaution.

No one was hurt by what library workers later described as a loud bang.

Kokomo Police Maj. Brian Seldon said it was possible some type of fireworks had been set off inside the stairwell, at the east end of the library building, 220 N. Main St.

Library patrons mostly dispersed after the evacuation at about 4 p.m. Monday, but library staffers had to wait on the steps of the Howard County Government Center, catty-corner from the library.

They waited for about an hour while police, with help and a bomb dog from the Howard County Sheriff Department, searched the building.

Nothing was found during the search, Seldon said.

Two library workers saw kids running away from the stairwell just after the bang.

Police were treating the stairwell as a crime scene after the building reopened, and were investigating what, exactly, created the bang. The incident caused no apparent damage to the library.

• Scott Smith is a Kokomo Tribune staff writer. He may be reached at (765) 454-8569 or via e-mail at scott.smith@kokomotribune.com