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Search of vehicle near Logan Airport ends with no dangerous materials found

E-mail|Link|Comments () August 16, 2010 10:09 AM

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By Marissa Lang, Globe Correspondent, and John R. Ellement, Globe Staff

The search of a suspicious vehicle near Boston's Logan Airport is over, and area residents are being allowed to return to their homes, officials said.

A Mercury sedan that appeared to be abandoned on Porter Street near Logan was investigated by the State Police bomb squad this morning after authorities spotted what they consider suspicious objects inside the vehicle, officials said.

Just before 10 a.m., emergency personnel who had gathered in and around Maverick Square started pulling out after an "all-clear'' was issued, officials said.

"The State Police Troop F bomb squad has determined that the abandoned vehicle on Porter Street in East Boston is safe,'' David Procopio, spokesman for the State Police, said in an e-mail sent just after 10 a.m. today. "Inspection of the interior of the vehicle and its trunk revealed that it does not pose a hazard. The vehicle will be removed to the barracks and the perimeter is secured. Further investigation will be conducted by State Police Troop F detectives.

Earlier this morning, Procopio said the vehicle was found abandoned on Porter Street around 6 a.m. today.

Given its proximity to Logan and the presence of objects that Procopio would not identify, State Police called in its bomb squad and ordered the evacuation of a nearby elderly apartment building.

He said bomb experts are using a robot to examine the vehicle this morning. Procopio said the vehicle has an out-of-state license plate. He declined to disclose the state.

"We have contacted police in that state and we are working with them to track down the registered owner,'' he said.

Also earlier today, Massport spokesman Phil Orlandella said State Police have shut down area streets and have asked residents of at least one apartment building to evacuate while the vehicle is examined. "The State Police are taking all necessary precautions,'' Orlandella said.

Boston Fire department spokesman Steve MacDonald said the situation is still unfolding. He said it is not yet clear what prompted the concern about the vehicle in the first place. He said firefighters are in the midst of making their first assessment of the situation.

Initially, authorities believe the suspicious vehicle was in a car rental parking lot, but Orlandella said the vehicle is parked on a public street near a car rental agency, but is not on the company's property.

No further details were immediately available.