Two Valleydale Road businesses evacuated due to bomb hoax

Hoover police today cordoned off and evacuated two businesses along Valleydale Road after a gasoline station employee noticed a suspicious device on the grounds.

The employee of the Circle K at 2017 Valleydale Road found the device about 10 a.m. in a landscaped area on the west side of the business and called police. Hoover’s bomb squad arrived and examined the item, which was fashioned to resemble an explosive device, Hoover police Capt. Gregg Rector said in a news release.

The Circle K and an adjacent business, Godspeed Elite Sports Academy, were evacuated for a short period of time while the bomb squad made the device safe, Rector said. After further examination, police determined it was a “hoax device,” he said.

There were no injuries, and both businesses were able to reopen.