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Bomb threat forces evacuation of fertilizer plant in Wever, Iowa

Every vehicle entering the plant was searched, and the plant was later evacuated, after the threat of an explosive device was found at the Iowa Fertilizer plant...

Every vehicle entering the plant was searched, and the plant was later evacuated, after the threat of an explosive device was found at the Iowa Fertilizer plant in Wever.

A statement, indicating a bomb would detonate inside the plant at noon "tomorrow," was reportedly discovered Monday afternoon, written on a wall inside a portable restroom.  The threat was reported at about 2:45 p.m. Monday, July 20.

Law enforcement, plant security and the plant's 36-person safety team joined forces to search the facility and vehicles for the alleged bomb.  Shortly before noon Tuesday, the plant was evacuated.

The Lee County Sheriff's Department indicated no suspicious items or packages had been found.

The plant is not yet in operation, and no volatile or combustible materials are present in the storage tanks, according to a statement from the sheriff's office.

The Iowa Fire Marshal's Office was sending a bomb-detection dog to the plant.  Because they have tracks near the site, Burlington Northern Santa Fe sent a bomb-detection dog to the area as well.

Authorities later confirmed no explosive device was found at the plant.

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