Late this afternoon Virginia Tech closed three of its academic halls due to a bomb threat. Tech closed Torgersen, Durham and Whittemore Halls after receiving a letter stating that explosive devices were present within the buildings. Classes were canceled for the remainder of the day. In addition, all activities planned for the weekend have been canceled or rescheduled. The Blacksburg Transit bus system routes have also been changed.

Larry Hincker, Associate Vice President for University Relations, said the letter received today was similar to the letter received two weeks ago when a bomb threat was made in Torgersen Hall.  Police are still investigating today’s threat.

The campus police will be sweeping the halls this afternoon to ensure the safety of students. Hincker said he expects the sweep to take much longer for the campus police to complete than the bomb threat in Torgersen two weeks ago because it is a much larger area. In addition, canine patrols will be scanning the buildings.

The previous sweep of Torgersen took around four hours – Hinker said this sweep will most likely last into the night and the weekend.

The threat is also expected to create a problem with planning for the weekend’s activities. Most of Saturday’s events will be relocated.

New times and locations for the weekend’s events maybe found on Tech’s website at www.vt.edu.

The Tech police do not have a lead at this time and the buildings will remained closed indefinitely.

The Collegiate Times will continue with further updates on the matter.