Evacuation ordered in Newmanstown neighborhood due to explosives

UPDATE: A Millcreek Township neighborhood is safe for residents to return to their homes after a Tuesday morning evacation order because of explosives in the area.

According to a recent report from WGAL, Pennsylvania State Police said at a news conference shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday that “the scene is now deemed safe.” No further details were released at that time.

ORIGINAL STORY: Residents of a Millcreek Township neighborhood have been ordered to evacuate the area while the Pennsylvania State Police searches a home outside Newmanstown for explosives, according to multiple news reports.

The evacuation order covers homes within a quarter-mile radius of 11 Central Drive, state police in Jonestown said in a press release Tuesday morning. Residents are to evacuate the area immediately, the release said.

According to reports, police said troopers, fire police and members of the State Police Hazardous Device Unit are in the area “removing explosive devices.” No further details on the type of explosives or how they were discovered were immediately released.

Shortly before 11 a.m. Tuesday, Newmanstown Volunteer Fire Company posted a message noting that a shelter has been set up at Living Stones Christian Fellowship on Main Street, Newmanstown, for residents to gather during the evacuation order.

In an updated release Tuesday morning, state police said that “all residences within the immediate area have already been evacuated,” adding that “anyone else within the quarter-mile radius is on a Voluntary basis on whether they choose to evacuate or not.”

Police said they will update the community when it is safe to return home.