The Mills E. Godwin Jr. Courts Building was closed and evacuated for almost two hours Wednesday morning due to a threat that police were taking as a bomb threat.

Suffolk police evacuated the courts building following a 9:20 a.m. call to emergency dispatchers in which an unknown person told them “something had been placed in the courthouse,” Suffolk spokeswoman Debbie George said. While the caller did not specify a bomb, the call was treated as a bomb threat, she added.

Two bomb-sniffing dogs from Suffolk and one from the Virginia State Police searched the building with their handlers, and it was determined to be clear of danger, George said in a press release closing out the event.

The building was re-opened to the public at 11:30 a.m.

A section of North Main Street running from Commerce Street to Washington Street was closed while police and emergency workers surveyed the building, and members of the public were prevented from entering.

Investigator Pam King of the Suffolk Fire Marshal’s office is leading the investigation. Anyone with information should contact her at 514-7542 or 1-888-Lock-U-Up.