'Suspicious package' triggers evacuation, turns out to be mosquito trap

June 26, 2009 - 11:56 AM
THE GAZETTE

A mosquito trap kicked off a bomb scare at Peterson Air Force base this morning that led to the evacuation of the Base Exchange store.

The incident started at 10:30 a.m. when a customer saw the trap and reported it as a "suspicious package." Base officials ordered the evacuation and closed Peterson's east gate as bomb-disposal airmen rushed to the scene. The scare was short-lived as bomb experts identified it as machine for killing mosquitoes rather than people.

The evacuation was lifted at 11 a.m. and the gate was reopened, the Air Force said.