Siegel JCC bomb threat one of several nationwide

No explosives were found after police conducted a search of the Siegel Jewish Community Center north of Wilmington after someone called in a bomb threat shortly before noon Monday.

And the local center wasn't alone. Bomb threats were reported at Jewish community centers in five other states -- South Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, New Jersey and Florida -- and the United Kingdom on Monday with federal agents on standby, authorities reported.

Monday evening, the chair of the Jewish Federations of North America board of trustees added that 15 to 19 Jewish community centers in at least six states have been targeted by bomb threats.

Near Wilmington, someone called the facility around 11:45 a.m. and said there was a bomb inside the complex, according to Jewish Federation of Delaware CEO Seth J. Katzen. The person who took the call pressed for more information but was given none before the caller disconnected, he said.

STORY: Man found dead in vehicle in Wilmington

The building was alerted, Katzen said, and everyone was evacuated from the four facilities at the site, which includes the JCC, the Jewish Federation of Delaware, the Albert Einstein Academy, which teaches K-5 children, and Jewish Family Services of Delaware.

Police arrived soon after and told Katzen it would be a few hours before they could clear the building. Cpl. Tracey Duffy, a New Castle County Police Department spokeswoman, said the search for explosives throughout the facilities ended at approximately 2:20 p.m.

No injuries or explosions were reported since the threat was called in.

"While this threat cannot be taken lightly, our community immediately responded to ensure the safety of our children, guests and staff," Katzen said. "It is reassuring to know we have the ongoing support of our local law enforcement and area businesses who responded in our time of need."

The Siegel Jewish Community Center released a statement on Facebook stating that "the FBI and New Castle County Law Enforcement with their K-9 unit swept all facilities on campus," and the buildings were cleared for re-entry.

The Siegel JCC Fitness Center entrance was re-opened at 3 p.m. for recreational services, although the front entrance remains closed, the statement read.

Fitness classes are expected to continue as scheduled.

However, youth programs, evening babysitting and swim team have been canceled, according to the post.

In Florida, police said no explosives were found after bomb threats were received at the Miami Beach Jewish Community Center and the Jewish Community Alliance of Jacksonville.

In London, the Jewish Chronicle reported the Metropolitan Police were alerted to phone calls made to schools in Roehampton, Ilford and Brent in London, in which it was claimed explosive devices had been planted on the premises. Police went to the schools where they didn't find anything.

As of early Monday afternoon, there was no known link between the threats.

A string of bomb threats called into Delaware schools last year raised alarms, but never materialized into the discovery of explosives.

Natalie Neysa Alund of The Tennessean and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Contact Adam Duvernay at (302) 324-2785 or aduvernay@delawareonline.com.