Explosives Near Route 543 Prompted Emergency Response: Fire Marshal

STREET, MD — Multiple explosive devices led authorities to close a section of MD 543 on Wednesday afternoon.

Deputies were called after noon to the 3700 block of Ady Road, where a citizen found three suspicious devices while mowing his lawn, according to officials.

Bomb squad technicians from the Office of the State Fire Marshal determined the devices had not been fired and a fusing mechanism was still intact, authorities reported. They disposed of multiple rounds to neutralize the potentially explosive objects, officials said.

The bomb squad searched the immediate area and found two other devices buried in the ground nearby, which they also rendered inert, according to the fire marshal.

Harford County law enforcement closed Route 543 at Taylor Road as a precaution.

"At this time, there is no danger to the community," the Harford County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement before 2:30 p.m. "However, a portion of Route 543 will be closed for a brief period while the suspicious device is rendered inert."

Before 5 p.m., officials said the devices had been neutralized, and Route 543 was open.

Maryland State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci praised the homeowner for recognizing the potential danger, retreating from it and reporting the location by calling 911.