HARRISBURG – Students at Harrisburg Middle School were evacuated Monday after a student there alleged that another student was in possession of an unidentified object that appeared to be a bomb.

According to Harrisburg Police, following the student’s allegation, school personnel evacuated the building and contacted police. Once officers arrived on scene and gathered pertinent information, it was determined that the best and safest course of action was to contact the Secretary of State Hazardous Device Unit and request their assistance.

Once bomb technicians arrived on scene, they removed the item by robot and opened it remotely. No explosive hazards were present. The building was then swept by an explosive detection K-9 team before deeming the location safe. Students and faculty were allowed to come back into the school at 11 a.m.

Police say that at no time did any student allege that they possessed a bomb or made any threats to use a bomb at the school. No criminal charges are pending.

Harrisburg Police were assisted by the Harrisburg Fire Department, the Saline County Sheriff’s Department and the Illinois Secretary of State Bomb Disposal Unit.