Hoax bomb threat forces evacuation of Maine State House

Two K9 teams from the Maine State Police Bomb Unit responded to clear the building; no explosives were found. (Courtesy photo)

AUGUSTA, Maine - A hoax bomb threat on Wednesday forced the temporary evacuation of Maine's State House.

The threat was emailed to a State House employee around 1:45 p.m., prompting Capitol Police to shut down and evacuate some 300 people who were in the building.

Two K9 teams from the Maine State Police Bomb Unit responded to clear the building; no explosives were found.

The threat, which was deemed a hoax, was similar to threats emailed to state offices across the country.

Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi and Montana were among the other states that were targeted on Wednesday.