Winter Haven Police Press Release
A hectic scene at Gessler Clinic in Winter Haven today as staff and patients were evacuated for a little more than two hours today.
On 4-17-24 just after noon, the Winter Haven Fire Department responded to Gessler Clinic (635 1st St N, Winter Haven) to reports of smoke and haze inside of the building. The building was evacuated and firefighters searched the entire campus and did not locate any smoke or haze inside of the building.
As the building was cleared to have staff and patients return inside, it was discovered that a voicemail was left on a phone in the administration area with the caller claiming to threaten to blow the building up. Immediately, the building was evacuated again.
Winter Haven Police arrived on scene and conducted an initial sweep of the building. A Bomb Detection K-9 from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrived and conducted a thorough search of the building locating nothing suspicious.
The building was turned back over to Gessler Clinic Staff at approximately 2:15 p.m. and they were able to re-enter the building.
Winter Haven Detectives are currently investigating the origin of the call.