The federal bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Fireams and explosives has been called in to assist in the investigation.
HIGHTSTOWN – Local and federal law enforcement agencies are investigating after an explosive device went off on public property Monday night, Police Director James LeTellier said today.
LeTellier confirmed that the explosion in the borough was “definitely man-made” and did not cause any injuries or damage, but declined further comment about the incident.
“There’s an active investigation, so we’re restricting the information on it,” LeTellier said. “It’s a two-part situation.”
LeTellier said the investigation is “very active,” involving multiple agencies. He asked the public to remain calm and said there was nothing to fear from whoever deployed the explosive device.
“At this point, the general public has no concerns,” LeTellier said. “The general public was not a target.”
LeTellier declined to say if police believe a specific person or building was targeted. He would not say if any arrests have been made or suspects questioned, but said investigators were “following down leads” and expected to released more information in a few days.
Monday night’s explosion is the only incident police have knowledge of, he said.
Agents from the federal bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and explosives (ATF) were sent out to Hightstown to assist in the investigation, ATF spokeswoman Special Agent Nancy Roward said. The agents from the Arson and Explosives Group in Woodland Park became involved at the request of borough police, and continued to be involved in the “ongoing” investigation, Roward said.
The explosion did not take place on school grounds, East Windsor Regional School District Superintendent Edward Forsthoffer said.
It also did not take place at Borough Hall, LeTellier said. He ruled out fireworks and a water/chlorine device as the source for the explosion.
A spokesman for the New Jersey State Police said their bomb squad was not involved in the probe and was not sent to Hightstown Monday, meaning the explosion could not have been a controlled detonation by the unit.
Elected officials could not provide further information. Mayor Steve Kirson could not be reached for comment, and council president Larry Quattrone said he was not releasing information until LeTellier told him to.
“I have no comment,” Quattrone said.
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