No Threat After Bomb Scare at Tuscaloosa Hotel Tuesday Afternoon

The Tuscaloosa Police Department's Special Response Team is among a massive law enforcement presence outside a hotel, restaurant and other businesses on Tuesday investigating a trailer which may contain explosives.

Police have been on the scene around the Spark by Hilton Tuscaloosa off McFarland Boulevard near Skyland Boulevard since around noon Tuesday and we now know they are looking into the credible threat of explosives in the area.

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Officers also responded to and evacuated the nearby McDonalds and at least one police drone is over the area where dozens of officers remained at 1 p.m. Tuesday.

The Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue Service also had several vehicles in the area lining Jug Factory Road where it meets McFarland.

UPDATE: 1:45 P.M. 

Stephanie Taylor, a spokesperson for the Tuscaloosa Police Department, said they are investigating the possibility an explosive is being stored in a trailer outside the hotel.

"Tuscaloosa Police received a tip Tuesday that a trailer that could possibly contain explosives was parked at a hotel off Skyland Boulevard and U.S. Highway 82 East," Taylor told local media. "Officers responded and evacuated the hotel after a K9 indicated the possibility of explosives in the trailer. This is an ongoing situation, with officers from multiple agencies on scene at this time."

UPDATE, 4:45 P.M: TPD Says There is No Threat

In an early evening update, Stephanie Taylor said TPD has determined there is no threat at the hotel.

"Tuscaloosa Police received a tip Tuesday about a 4x8 rental cargo trailer parked at a hotel off Skyland Boulevard that was believed to possibly contain explosives," Taylor said. "Officers immediately responded, evacuated the hotel, and secured the area. A K9 with TPD’s Hazardous Device Unit alerted to the potential presence of explosives inside the trailer. Over the course of several hours, officers worked alongside multiple agencies to investigate. Two associated hotel rooms were searched, and the trailer was breached and examined by bomb technicians. Investigators ultimately determined there was no threat to public safety."

Police are still investigating the incident and TPD Chief Brent Blankley praised first responders for their efforts Tuesday.

"We always treat tips like this with the highest level of caution," Chief Brent Blankley said. "I'm proud of how quickly and professionally our officers and partnering agencies responded to protect the public. This was a long day of methodical work, but it was necessary to ensure everyone's safety."

For updates as they become available, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.