According to Northeastern University, a box was sent to the school on Tuesday evening and exploded when a staff member opened it.
According to officials, NBC Boston, the box was brought to the Leon Street building at about 7 p.m. on Tuesday and exploded soon after.
The Northeastern University Police Department announced that Holmes Hall was secured shortly before 10 p.m., three hours after the incident.
The employee, a 45-year-old man, was sent to the hospital with a minor hand injury, according to the police.
According to the bomb squad of the Boston Police Department, a search turned up a second identical item that was eventually determined to be safe.
Shortly after the item exploded at 7:20 p.m., the Boston Bomb Squad, Boston Police, Boston Fire, and Boston Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to the Leon Street incident.
In a press conference to media Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said she is taking the incident ‘very seriously.’
‘This city is home to everyone’s young people, from our littlest learners up to our college students and university staff,’ said Mayor Wu.
‘So we want to make sure we emphasize that this is of the utmost priority: the safety and well-being of all of our young people here.’
Northeastern University said a package, which exploded at 7.18pm Tuesday night, had been delivered to campus and detonated when opened by a male staff member aged 45
Terrorism cannot be ruled out by authorities after a package exploded at the Boston University, leaving one person injured and taken to hospital
Northeastern University Police Department tweeted that Holmes Hall was secured three hours after the incident took place, just before 10pm
Harvard University say they are working with authorities to keep their campus safe
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology tweeted for people to report any suspicious activity
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology tweeted for people to report any suspicious activity on their campus.
It tweeted: ‘MIT Alert: Explosion at Northeastern U. MIT Police are urging all MIT community to be cautious. Please report any suspicious packages.
Harvard University also showed concern on social media tweeting: ‘Harvard Alert: HUPD is aware of reports of a detonation of a suspicious package at Northeastern.
‘We are working with law enforcement and increasing patrols on Harvard campuses.
‘Out of abundance of caution we urge community members to report anything suspicious to 617-495-1212.’
The Boston Bomb Squad, Boston Police, Boston fire and Boston EMS responded to the Leon Street incident
Jacob Isaacs (pictured) who was in class in Holmes Hall when it was evacuated says there had been some confusion at the time
Isaacs added that they did not hear anything that sounded like an explosion before they saw first responders arrive
Investigations into the incident continues with Northeastern University Police Department asking people to ‘avoid the area’
A 7News reporter speaking to authorities on the ground said the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are currently coordinating with Boston Police and Terrorism had not been ruled out.
‘FBI currently coordinating with Boston Police… Sources say too early to say whether this is related to terrorism or not,’ the tweet read.
Boston Police told NBC Boston that the explosion took place on campus at Holmes Hall on Leon Street and the building was evacuated.
Jacob Isaacs who was in class in Holmes Hall during its evacuation told 7News there was some confusion about what had happened when the incident took place.
Boston Police say that the explosion caused Holmes Hall on Leon Street to be evacuated
Boston Emergency Medical Services tweeted reports of an explosion and said at least one person had been taken to hospital earlier in the night
‘We were in class and then we saw two policemen walk through the building and then as soon as we look out the window, we see a fire truck with the lights on blazing,’ said Issacs.
‘Our teacher is like ‘I gotta see what’s going on,’ and he sees that the fire truck is going and there’s a police car outside and as that happened, instantly the fire alarm starts going off.
Isaacs added that they did not hear anything that sounded like an explosion before they saw first responders arrive.
Investigations into the incident continues with Northeastern University Police Department asking people to ‘avoid the area.’
It is still unclear where the package came from as investigations into the matter continue.