Damariscotta Police Chief Steve Drake confirmed a “bomb scare” prompted the closing of the Damariscotta Hannafords’ grocery store early Wednesday afternoon.
After a search lasting around three hours, responders were able to clear the scene shortly before 5 p.m.
Drake said a message indicating some type of bomb threat had been found in the store, adding it is unknown if the message was left recently.
However authorities acted on the side of caution, Drake said. Two state police bomb detecting dogs were called to the scene and Damariscotta firefighters and police assisted with the evacuation of the store.
