By Eileen Buckley & Ashley Hassett
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-952995.mp3
Buffalo, NY – An M-80 type of device was set off in a stairwell of the Erie County Board of elections building Thursday morning.
The sound of an explosion forced the evacuation at 134 West Eagle Street for dozens of county employees from the the building. No one was hurt.
Erie County Board of Election's Building at 134 West.
Employees said everyone heard a "loud noise", but didn't think it was much of anything until the fire alarms sounded in the building.
WBFO News producer Ashley Hassett was on the scene. She said workers reported they heard what sounded like a "heavy boom".
Buffalo Fire Chief John Mogavero said they had reports of hearing the boom from all over the building. He said it made it difficult to track down the source. But after a complete search the building was deemed safe.
Lt. Sean Simet is with the Erie County Sheriff's Department said they discovered what appeared to be an exploded M-80 in a rear stairwell between the 4th and 5th floors.
"Employees in the building were very specific, at the time, where they heard the explosion take place," said Lt. Simet.
Anyone with information should contact the Sheriff's Department at 858-2903.
You can click the above audio to hear reaction from workers inside the building, Buffalo Fire Chief John Mogavero and Lt. Sean Simet explain what happened.