Two suspicious scenes involving possible hazardous materials in Fort Myers and North Fort Myers are now confirmed to be connected, with federal bomb experts leading a joint investigation alongside local law enforcement and federal agencies.
According to the ATF, the agency is working with the Lee County Sheriff's Office and Fort Myers Police Department to investigate the presence of suspicious materials in both locations.
Bomb experts, the FBI and dozens of firefighters are involved in the multi-agency response, which spans across Palm Tree Lane in Fort Myers and Harbor Drive in North Fort Myers.
On Monday, Fort Myers police evacuated homes and detained one person after discovering a suspicious device.
By Tuesday morning, ATF had taken over and confirmed that a second scene in North Fort Myers was part of the same investigation.
Harbor Drive and Lavin Lane were cordoned off with yellow tape, and a bomb squad truck from the sheriff’s office was on site. Drones from LCSO were deployed over the neighborhood near the base of the Edison Bridge.
The Fort Myers Fire Department joined crews at the North Fort Myers scene, where multiple firefighters were hosed off after interacting with potentially hazardous materials. ATF officials said they are examining those materials and interviewing witnesses.
Despite the large response, ATF officials said there is no immediate threat to the public, and no evacuations have been issued in North Fort Myers. The investigation is ongoing, and ATF said a full statement will be released soon.
This is a developing story.
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