LABETTE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating after an explosive device was found in Parsons.
Just after 2 p.m. Thursday, a resident called police and reported a suspicious object in the 2700 block of Dirr Avenue, a residential neighborhood in Parsons, according to a media release from police.
Officers that arrived on scene tested the device with an explosive field-testing kit and the result was a positive for explosive material. Police called the Kansas Highway Patrol Hazardous Device Unit to collect and disposed of the device.
Officers blocked off the area and asked citizens to avoid the area for safety reasons. Parsons Fire and Labette County Emergency Medical Services staged in case of a detonation.
There were no injuries reported.
The device is classified as an Improvised Explosive Device, or IED. According to the Department of Homeland Security, IED is defined as a "homemade" bomb and/or destructive device to destroy, incapacitate, harass or distract.
Police encouraged the public with any further information on this incident to contact them.