UPDATE: Assabet Valley Bomb Scare Caused by Electronic Cigarette

UPDATE, Nov. 10, 12 p.m.: A statement from the Marlborough Police Department issued Wednesday afternoon said that they were called to after a suspicious item was found in a bathroom at approximately 6:30 a.m.

The item was subsequently removed from the building and the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad was called in to deal with the item. 

The item, which resembled the shape of a ball-point pen was removed by the bomb squad to the corner of the football field across the street from the high school, and it was determined that the item was an electronic smokeless cigarette that "had it wrapper removed exposing the battery and wiring contained inside," said the release. 

said they will continue to investigate the incident to determine whether or not the item was left with malicious intent. 

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UPDATE, 3 p.m.: City Councilor Matt Elder said he had been informed by early afternoon Wednesday, that the "pen-like" object was a type of electronic cigarette case. Marlborough Patch had not received confirmation from the Marlborough Police Department as of this post. 

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and , along with a bomb squad were out in force Wednesday morning at the . 

This was in response to a suspicious item/device found outside the front entrance to the school. 

"We found a small device outside the building about the size of a ball-point pen, and our dean of students decided it was appropriate to contact the police," said Russ Mangsen, technical programs director and acting principal today as Mark Hollick was out of the building. "The police determined that it looked suspicious, they secured a small area and they removed it."

There has been no official comment from police as to the status of the event, however.

"Officers are at the school and it is still being determined what the nature of the situation is," said Detective Martha Shea of the MPD. "Because it is ongoing, I can't comment further at this time." 

The item was not deemed a threat to students and staff at the school, said Mangsen, and classes were in full swing after 9 a.m.

"In regards to this morning's incident that disrupted the start of the school day. There was never any danger to students in the building," said a statement on school's website. "Marlboro Police were notified as a safety precaution. They assured us that the school building was safe for all students and staff. The fire alarm was due to a sensor in one of the shop areas. The daily school schedule has resumed at Assabet Valley for all students and staff."

Parents of several students said they had been kept in the dark for the most part Wednesday morning, but said kids were kept away from the front entrance for some time before being told to attend classes as usual. 

The device was removed to the corner of the Assabet Valley football field where a half-dozen Marlborough police officers guarded the scene, and a technician working appeared to be wearing protective clothing. Fire and EMS crews were also on the scene. 

Check back with Marlborough Patch for updates as this story develops. 

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