Police in Maine issued a shelter-in-place order while officers dealt with an armed individual in an area where there were at least three explosions and a house fire early Saturday morning.
The Auburn Police Department posted the shelter warning on social media, asking residents to stay in place while authorities dealt with fire and power outages on Russell Avenue.
About two hours later, the department updated the post to say the situation had been resolved, the order had been lifted and there was no further risk to the public.
Police did not immediately release information about a person with a gun at the scene.
Homes were evacuated and a section of Russell Avenue in Auburn was blocked off by police. Auburn Fire Department Capt. Chris Moretto said there were three explosions around 2:15 a.m. that were believed to be related to the fire, the Lewiston Sun-Journal reported.
Another explosion was heard shortly before 3 a.m., the newspaper reported.
The Maine State Police and the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Department also were at the scene, the Sun-Journal reported.
Maine police responded to a tense situation on Tuesday evening when they received reports of an armed individual in a residential neighborhood. The incident, which took place in the town of Bangor, saw law enforcement officers spring into action as explosions were heard in the area.
According to reports, the Bangor Police Department received a call from a concerned citizen who claimed to have seen a man carrying a firearm and acting erratically. Officers quickly arrived on the scene and established a perimeter around the suspect’s location.
As the situation unfolded, residents in the surrounding area reported hearing loud explosions. The source of these blasts was not immediately clear, leading to heightened tensions among both law enforcement and community members.
In a statement released by the Bangor Police Department, officials confirmed that they were dealing with an armed individual and urged residents to stay indoors and avoid the area. Negotiators were brought in to try and establish communication with the suspect and bring about a peaceful resolution to the situation.
After several hours of negotiations, the armed individual was successfully apprehended without any injuries reported. The explosions heard earlier were determined to be non-lethal devices used by law enforcement to distract and disorient the suspect during the apprehension process.
The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers on a daily basis and the importance of effective communication and de-escalation tactics in resolving potentially volatile situations. The swift and coordinated response by the Bangor Police Department helped to ensure the safety of both officers and residents in the area.
As investigations into the incident continue, authorities are working to determine the motives behind the suspect’s actions and any potential threats posed to the community. In the meantime, residents are advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.
Overall, the successful resolution of this tense situation highlights the professionalism and dedication of Maine police officers in ensuring public safety and maintaining peace in their communities.
