UPDATE: Downtown reopening to citizens following bomb scare; suspicious package detonated

FORT MYERS, Fla. - WINK News has confirmed that several buildings in downtown Fort Myers have been evacuated after a suspicious package was found in front of the Federal Courthouse and the Federal building on First Street at approximately 8:50 a.m.

Fort Myers Police have evacuated the Federal Courthouse and several downtown businesses, including Starbucks, a law firm and Quiznos. Other employees are being told to stay indoors, as authorities investigate the package.

The Lee County Bomb Squad is on the scene; as of 10:30 a.m., authorities were suiting up and preparing to inspect the item.

"We have a robot on-scene...They'll bring the robot out, they'll do an x-ray. Hopefully, they'll remove that item in the near future and we'll go ahead and either blow it up someplace else or dispose of it at another location," explained Ft. Myers Police Chief Doug Baker. He added, "We're just trying to remove it soon as possible to ensure the safety and security of downtown and everyone who utilizes the area."

As a result of the investigation into the suspicious package, authorities have temporarily closed down  the following areas to traffic:

- Monroe Street to Broadway
- First Street to Main
- Second Street

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UPDATE: Downtown reopening to citizens following bomb scare; suspicious package detonated