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‘Blow the building up:’ Threats sparks evacuation twice at Winter Haven clinic

First responders rushed to Gessler Clinic just after noon upon reports of smoke and haze

A firetruck outside the Gessler Clinic on Wednesday (Winter Haven Public Safety Department)

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A bomb threat on Wednesday forced a Winter Haven medical clinic to evacuate, according to the city’s public safety department.

In a release, city officials said that first responders headed to Gessler Clinic at 635 1st Street N. just after noon after receiving reports about smoke and haze inside the building.

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After the building was evacuated, firefighters searched the campus, but they weren’t able to find any smoke or haze within, the release shows.

Investigators outside of the Gessler Clinic (Winter Haven Public Safety Department)

City officials added that staff and patients were left outside for more than two hours, though the building was eventually cleared, and they were allowed to return.

However, investigators said they discovered that a voicemail was left on a phone in the administration area, with a caller threatening to “blow the building up.” As a result, the building was evacuated again.

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Despite the threats, investigators were unable to find anything suspicious, and the evacuation was called off yet again, the release states.

Winter Haven detectives are investigating the origin of the call.

No additional information has been provided at this time.

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