ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Police Department is investigating an explosion in the North Clinton Avenue area.
The bomb squad unit responded to North Clinton Avenue and Pleasant Street Wednesday morning for the report of criminal mischief involving an explosive device.
Officers say the explosion damaged a group of mailboxes inside a Buckingham Properties building. The area was quickly closed off and the apartments and offices were evacuated.
Police say no one was injured.
Investigators are now trying to determine the cause and ensure there are no additional explosive devices nearby.
Postal inspectors were also called in, as the mail was impacted.
Mayor Malik Evans released a statement on the explosion:
"I am thankful that no one was hurt and that the explosive device detonated this morning at 87 N. Clinton Ave. only damaged a group of mailboxes.
However, I also recognize that the perpetrator, or perpetrators, of this crime could have caused much more serious damage – injury and even loss of life. They have traumatized not only the people who live, work and visit in that building, but also the entire Downtown community.
We will not tolerate such selfish and careless behavior and the Rochester Police Department, the Arson Task Force and the United States Postal Service will work together to investigate this incident to locate whomever is responsible for this dangerous act and bring them to justice.
I encourage anyone who may have seen something or has any information regarding this incident to call 911 immediately."
