Patients and staff are settling back in this morning after a bomb threat caused the evacuation of The Franklin Hospital in Benton last night.

According to authorities, two phone calls were received at the hospital claiming that an explosive was inside the building. The first a 5:13.  The second at 5:16.

By 5:19, the Benton Fire Department was on the scene and began evacuating of both Franklin Hospital and the adjacent Helia Healthcare.

After a search of the facility by a bomb squad from the Illinois State Police, the all clear was given and patients were able to safely re-enter the building just before 10:00.

Anyone with questions about a family member who is patient there is asked to call 618-439-3161, as the hospital is answering the phones remotely.