AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine State House was evacuated Wednesday due to a bomb threat, according to Maine Capitol Police, and the scene was "all clear" just before 4 p.m.
Capitol Police Chief Matthew Clancy confirmed the evacuation to NEWS CENTER Maine around 2:30 p.m., adding the bomb threat was made via email.
The threat was discovered at about 1:45 p.m. just before Capitol Police temporarily shut down and evacuated the 300 individuals inside the building.
"We wanted to have the State House swept just to make sure we were good to go," Chief Clancy told NEWS CENTER Maine. "The evacuation was very orderly. There were no issues."
Two police dog teams from the Maine State Police Bomb Unit also responded to the scene, according to Maine Public Safety spokesperson Shannon Moss.
"No one was injured. There were no explosives found, and the threat was deemed to be a hoax," Moss said.
Wednesday marks the first day of the new legislative session in Maine.
Multiple other states, including Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, and Montana, have also evacuated their capitol buildings Wednesday. It's unclear whether those states received the same threat as Maine, but Clancy said threats have been made "all over the country."
A spokesperson with the FBI told NEWS CENTER Maine that their agency was aware of the "numerous hoax incidents wherein a bomb threat at a state Capitol building is made," adding that they take all threats seriously, but declined to comment on whether the email sent to Maine had the same or similar wording as others.
The governor's office also confirmed with NEWS CENTER Maine that Gov. Janet Mills was safe, aware of the threat, and was monitoring the situation.
"She is grateful for the quick response of law enforcement," the public information officer said.
Four legislative meetings were scheduled to happen at the state house at 2 p.m., but all committee meetings will be rescheduled.
Clancy said threats like the one made Wednesday are becoming more common for state houses across the country.
"We've seen a lot of activity just in the last week or two," Clancy said. "There is a raised heightened state of readiness and awareness by those that are in charge with securing these facilities."