Inner Harbor buildings evacuated in downtown Baltimore after van found with 1,000 gallons of gasoline

Baltimore officials evacuated a large area of downtown on Monday after an abandoned van loaded with 1,000 gallons of gasoline was discovered in a parking garage.

Shortly after 11 a.m. police received a call about a suspicious vehicle in the parking garage of 100 E. Pratt Street., home to T. Rowe Price, one of the city’s largest private employers. Officials quickly began an evacuation from several high rise building that sparked Sept. 11 anxiety.

Nearly 1,000 employees were evacuated from that building. “Our first priority is for the safety of our associates,” spokesman Brian Lewbart said. The company, which manage $1.07 trillion in assets, was still waiting as of 3 p.m. about when employees could return to the building.

Baltimore officials investigating the van were assisted by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. They advised motorists and pedestrians to avoid the area while authorities investigate.