Downtown IRS building evacuated

SALT LAKE CITY — The IRS building in downtown Salt Lake City was evacuated for about two hours Tuesday afternoon because of a suspicious bag found in front of the building.

Police said a big, black bag was found on a pillar of the IRS building just before 3 p.m. The bomb squad responded to the scene and blew up the package using a robot, said Salt Lake Police Sgt. Robin Snyder.

Police blocked off 200 East from 100 South to South Temple for about two hours before police determined the bag was not a threat. IRS personnel were then allowed back into the building.

Snyder said investigators found personal items inside the bag and believe someone may just have left it there accidentally.

What made the situation suspicious was the bag's placement near the pillar, which "if you were to take out that pillar, it almost looks like the building would topple," Snyder said.

Police received no threatening note or phone call.

— Pat Reavy, Emiley Morgan and Lana Groves