Police cordon off area surrounding Clarence M. Mitchell Jr. Courthouse in downtown Baltimore after bomb scare Thursday afternoon.  (VoB Photos/Veronica Piskor)

Blast in a trash can
under monument

TRUCKS COLLIDE ON JFX
 
Streets surrounding the Clar- ence M. Mitchell Jr. Courthouse in downtown Baltimore were cordoned off by Baltimore police Thursday afternoon following reports of a small explosion in a trash can.

Calvert, Lexington and Fayette Streets have been closed to traffic as a result of the blast, which occurred on the Calvert Street median strip known as Battle Monument Square between the main courthouse and Courthouse East, apparently beneath the Battle Monument (with the Lady Baltimore statue at its apex), which is currently under repair. As of late afternoon police and hazmat crews were still on the scene searching for suspicious devices.

No injuries have been reported.

Editor’s Note:  VoB photo looks north on North Calvert Street from East Baltimore Street. The Battle Monument, in scaffolding, can be seen behind green Fayette Street sign, between traffic lights.

In other news, two tractor trailers collided just before rush hour on the southbound side of the Jones Falls Expressway adjacent to the entrance ramp from West Northern Parkway, backing up traffic on the JFX and Northern Parkway in both directions.

VoB photographer Veronica Piskor was on the scene and posted this exclusive photograph:

Two tractor trailers collided Thursday afternoon at rush hour near the southbound entrance to Rte. 83 from Northern Pkwy.