'Deteriorating artifacts' cause bomb scare at northeast Kansas museum

ALMA (KSNT) - Multiple law enforcement agencies and bomb disposal units were called to Wabaunsee County Thursday morning to help dispose of hazardous items from a local museum.

The Kansas Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) announced in a press release that it received a request on Thursday, May 16 to help investigate an exhibit in the museum containing "deteriorating artifacts". Responding state and federal agencies began arriving in Alma on Friday, May 17 to handle the situation.

Numerous agencies, including Topeka Police Bomb Squad, Topeka Fire HazMat, Wabaunsee County Sheriff's Office, Wabaunsee County Emergency Management and others were called to assist with the situation. Members of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task force and ATF also responded to the scene.

Lance Feyh with the OSFM said a plan was put in place with the responding agencies to investigate and safely remove the items, consisting of artifacts from a doctor's office dating back to 1899, from the museum. These artifacts were then detonated without any problems.

"Deteriorating chemicals can be dangerous if not handled properly. The OSFM would like to commend the Wabaunsee County Historical Society and Museum and Marci Spaw, museum director, for handling this incident in a way that kept everyone safe. The museum is back open for business."

Lance Feyh press release excerpt

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