Investigation underway after explosive blows up entrance of Bridgeport apartment building

An investigation is underway after someone used an explosive device to blow up the entrance of an apartment building in Bridgeport early Thursday morning.

Two law enforcement sources tell NBC News this might have been part of a dispute over a wallet that was allegedly stolen.

Firefighters and police responded to 1512 North Ave. at 12:27 a.m. after a report of smoke coming from the third floor and they found damage in a hallway outside a third-floor apartment, according to police. 

Two law enforcement sources said the explosion is criminal in nature.

They said two residents got into a fight overnight over an alleged stolen wallet and Investigators believe a small explosive device was set off on the third floor as part of this dispute.

Bridgeport police said they collected evidence with help from the FBI and it will be forwarded to a lab for testing.

Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim said no injuries have been reported and there was no information on whether the damage goes beyond the entrance of the building, which houses around 20 people.

In addition to local police, the Connecticut State Police Bomb Squad and FBI bomb technicians have responded and they were checking the building to ensure there were no other hazards.  

Ganim said around 150 people were evacuated because nearby buildings were also evacuated as a precaution. Residents have been allowed to return home.

The Geraldine Johnson School, which is located across the street, was set up as a temporary shelter for the people who were affected by the evacuations and Ganim said the school is closed for the day because it was being used for people who need shelter.

Police have identified one person of interest and they are working to determine if one or more people were involved and to make an arrest, the mayor said.

The two law enforcement sources told NBC News that it appears that a suspect is in custody. They said the investigation is ongoing and subject to change.

Bridgeport police said a person of interest was arrested this morning and charged with disorderly conduct. 

They said he was reported to be roaming the hallways of 1512 North Ave. the evening prior to the incident and was seen roaming the hallways in the early morning hours of Thursday and walking toward his car seconds after the explosion. 

Police said his vehicle was parked facing northbound on Lexington Avenue and they stopped in on Oak Street and took him into custody.

North Avenue was closed between Oak Street and James, but has reopened.

Anyone with information about what happened is asked to call Bridgeport Police Detective Sergeant Luigi Tucciarone at 203 581-5217O.