UPDATE: Suspicious Device Determined to Be Non-Hazardous, Non-Incendiary

Update, July 8, 3:05 p.m.

The suspicious package found outside the Volunteer Medical Service Corps headquarters on Medical Campus Drive was determined to be harmless and non-explosive in nature.

Hatfield Township Police said the item is described as similar in size to "a soda bottle."

A press release is expected from Hatfield Township Police later today.

For more details, you can read The Reporter newspaper's story here.

Story from Thursday Night

A robot from the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department was used to deposit a suspicious device into a containment unit Thursday night near Lansdale Hospital.

Hatfield Township police and other emergency personnel responded to the headquarters of the Volunteer Medical Service Corps (VMSC) at 175 Medical Campus Drive at about 8 p.m., shortly after the device was discovered.

The device was found along a treeline in the rear of the VMSC building. Bomb squad technicians from the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department inspected the device and later deployed the remotely-controlled robot to examine it further.

At about 10:20 p.m., or about 45 minutes after the robot was deployed, Lt. William Tierney of the Hatfield Police Department told reporters at the scene that there was "no public hazard," and that all personnel and equipment at the scene were there "as a precaution."

Tierney declined to describe the device or to provide any details on its potential to cause damage.

At 10:45 p.m., the bomb squad robot approached the device and deposited it in a large containment vessel belonging to the sheriff's department. The robot then withdrew. Emergency personnel kept their distance, standing at least 50 feet away from the device during the operation.

A press release from Hatfield Township Police is expected late Thursday or early Friday.

Update 10:20 p.m.

Lt. William Tierney of the Hatfield Police Department told reporters at the scene that there is "no public hazard" and that all personnel and equipment at the scene have been called in as a "precaution."

Update 10:11 p.m.

Two SUVs from the Montco Sheriff's Department have arrived at the scene with a large equipment rig.

A third truck from Colmar Fire Company is on standby in an adjacent parking area.

Reporters at the scene have been told to expect an update later from a ranking member of the police department. No official information on the situation has been provided by authorities.

Update 9:55 p.m.

Two of the three Colmar fire trucks at the scene have moved to the east side of the building. Crews are erecting spotlights to illuminate the scene.

Colmar firefighters in breathing gear have been deployed inside the perimeter.

Emergency vehicles have created a perimeter around the scene that obscures the suspicious object from public view.

Update 9:45 p.m.

A hazmat team is on the scene, and bomb squad technicians are deploying a robot to investigate the object.

Update 8:30 p.m.

Two bomb squad technicians are inspecting the device now.

The device was found along the treeline to the back of the VMSC building, perpendicular to Broad Street.

The driveway to the VMSC headquarters is blocked off. Access on Medical Campus Drive to Lansdale Hospital is open.

Colmar Fire Co., Hatfield Township Police, Montgomery County Sheriff's Department and Montgomery County Bomb Squad are on scene.

Earlier story

A confirmed suspicious device that may be explosive in nature has been found outside the Volunteer Medical Service Corps building at 175 Medical Campus Drive next to Lansdale Hospital.

The bomb squad is on scene. Multiple fire departments responded.

Stay tuned for more details.

to see our previous reports.