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Suspicious suitcase near Bellagio false alarm

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Las Vegas Boulevard was reopened this morning after a suspicious suitcase found near the Bellagio fountains was determined to contain clothing.

Metro Police spokesman Jose Montoya said Bellagio security notified police of the unattended suitcase at about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday. The Strip's main thoroughfare was reopened at about 1:15 a.m. today after investigators determined the suitcase's contents.

A specialized Metro Police team, which has several firefighters who are bomb experts as members, responded to the incident. The team can respond to suspicious activity anywhere in the valley.

Firefighters on the team arrived about 11:21 p.m. Wednesday, said Las Vegas Fire Department spokesman Tim Szymanski.

An explosive sound was heard throughout the area about 12:45 a.m., eyewitnesses said. That noise is a testing device the bomb squad uses and it sounds like a shotgun blast, Szymanski said.

The incident prompted authorities to close Las Vegas Boulevard from Flamingo Road to Harmon Avenue. Police and fire vehicles lined Las Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo into the early morning.

Southbound Las Vegas Boulevard was closed first, followed by the road's northbound lanes. Tourists in front of the Bellagio, at about 10:45 p.m., had been cleared from the scene about 15 minutes later as authorities investigated the suitcase.

Pedestrian bridges and sidewalks in the area were also closed.

Copyright © Las Vegas Sun. Inc. Republished with permission.

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