MELBOURNE, Fla. --
An "improvised device" exploded near a classroom inside a Central Florida community college building, forcing authorities to lock down the campus and cancel classes Thursday.
The explosion was reported in an elevator shaft of a building on the Brevard Community College Melbourne campus before 11:15 a.m.
"They said that they heard what sounded like a large door slamming and saw smoke coming from the elevator, witness William Heinz said. "People were unsure what was going on and they seemed confused and panicky."
The explosion "was from some kind of improvised device," Brevard Asst. Fire Chief Greg Anglin told Local 6 News partner Florida Today.
"It was in a glass bottle or jar when it was detonated," said Lew Shelpman, regional security coordinator of BCC.
Melbourne firefighters evacuated the occupants of Building 7, a multipurpose facility at the 120-acre BCC campus, which is located at 3865 N. Wickham Road in Melbourne.
Officials said there were reports of the smell of sulphur prior to the explosion.
"I saw my friend and he said there was some sort of explosion was in the elevator," student Craig Feinkelstein said. "I was concerned."
Fire officials said three or four students were checked for possible injuries but they refused medical treatment.
The Brevard County Sheriff's bomb squad has also been called to the college, Local 6 News partner Florida Today reported.
A faculty member said he thought he noticed a man running away from the scene.
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