ROWLEY — Police Chief Scott A. Dumas and Fire Chief James C. Broderick report that the Rowley Police and Fire Departments responded after a pressure cooker was found unattended on a bench at the Rowley MBTA Commuter Rail station Monday morning.
The incident was reported just after 6 a.m. The station was evacuated, and the MBTA Transit Police Bomb Squad responded to the scene. After an on-scene investigation, the item was determined to be harmless.
The incident is under investigation by the Rowley Police Department and Transit Police. Officers on-scene made note of a pile of discarded kitchen appliances and items on Depot Way. A neighbor reported seeing a pressure cooker with the other items on Sunday. It is believed that someone took the item from the pile of discarded “free” items and placed it on the bench.
Homes on Depot Way were briefly evacuated as a precaution, however residents have since been allowed to return home.
Passengers on the Newburyport Line should expect delays. Train traffic was held prior to Rowley Station in both directions during the initial investigation.
Train traffic is once again moving at this time, and the station has been re-opened to the public.
The Newbury Police Department assisted Rowley at the scene, and the Ipswich Police Department covered calls in the Town of Rowley during the incident.
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