Bomb Squads Investigate a Possible Explosive Device Outside Superior Fire Department Headquarters

The device has also been removed and is no longer a threat to the area.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Marathon County Bomb Squad and Superior Police are still investigating a tube that was deemed a possible explosive device, found near the new fire department headquarters in Superior.

But they have now determined it was an inactive device, with no wires or firing device inside, other than some unknown grainy residue, which will be sent out for testing.

Authorities tell us this all stated when a pedestrian passing by the fire department headquarters, this morning, noticed what appeared to be a homemade explosive device sitting on the sidewalk, just steps away from the building.

A little after 9 am Tuesday, the Douglas County 911 Center was alerted by someone at the  Superior Fire Department after the department was tipped off by that pedestrian about the suspicious item outside the building.

The Superior Police Department’s tactical team responded to the incident by blocking off the device with armored trucks.

All north and southbound lanes of tower avenue between 31st and 34th street were shut down for several hours to help secure the area.

The fire department headquarters and a dental office next door were both evacuated during the incident.

Police say they are still working to confirm if the device is actually a possible homemade explosive.

They released a picture of the object showing it to be a pipe–shaped object measuring about a foot long.

“We can tell from what we see right now that has the appearance of something that could be an improvised device. Whether it is or not that will be determined later, but it is important in the beginning to treat it as if it is,” said Superior Police Chief Nick Alexander.

Superior Mayor Jim Paine says he is grateful for the tipster who alerted the fire department about the suspicious device.

He says this is a reminder for the community to be aware of their surroundings.

“If you see something that looks suspicious to you please call 911 right away, so we can inform our first responders and so we can respond quickly,” said Mayor Jim Paine.

Superior Police Department’s robot was able to handle the device.

The department says after evaluating the size of the device they were able to gauge a distance of impact.

That allowed most nearby businesses to stay open.

They say there was no threat to the public other than the immediate area around the fire station.

The fire department says a couple fire calls that came in at that time of  the incident.

They say they  were still able to answer calls during the incident.

All roads have reopened.

The device has also been removed and is no longer a threat to the area.

At this time the investigation is still active but authorities say no suspects or arrests have been made.