A report of shots fired and a person with "a smoking gun" entering a house led Laurel Police to shut down roads and send its SWAT team to Prince George Street this afternoon, but Laurel Police found no gunman or hostages; only fireworks.
"Probably someone set them off outside, and left when police showed up," said Laurel city spokesman James Collins.
Collins said police received several reports of shots fired in the 300 block of Prince George Street around 3:45 p.m., and that one witness told police they saw a person with "a smoking gun" enter a house on the north side of the street.
Laurel Police shut down roads around the area and police negotiators were called on to find out if someone was barricaded in the house. Collins said the Greenbelt Police were asked to send its SWAT team and armored vehicle to help with the situation.
Once police entered the house, they found "no one inside," Collins said.
As for the report of a smoking gun, "Unless it's an old musket it's not going to smoke," Collins said.
This story has been updated.