The detonation of three small explosive devices close to Iona’s campus has recently raised some concern in the New Rochelle community.

Two of these incidents occurred near the vacant Summit parking lot in the late evenings of Feb. 22 and March 1, with the third explosive detonating on Feb. 23 near the Children’s Library on Eastchester Road.

Senior Jay Wegimont was on Chauncey Ave. at the time of the explosions on March 1. “I saw a bright light go up in the air with no trail and a loud boom,” he said.

Two neighbors walked outside and asked what happened. Wegimont later heard from friends in the neighborhood that they had seen kids “lighting up fireworks” by the Summit parking lot.

On March 1, senior Jonathon Grady was walking on Hilltop Ave. when he heard a loud boom.

“I thought it was fireworks or maybe a transformer exploding,” Grady said. “Then I heard someone scream from the residential halls. It was really weird.”

The entire Iona community was notified of the explosions via an e-mail from Vice Provost for Student Life Charles Carlson on March 4.

“The fact that anybody would light off any explosive, even a non-damaging one, is concerning,” Carlson said. “Although it seems there was no intent to injure anyone, there’s always a possibility.”

The New Rochelle Police Department is in the midst of an investigation concerning the explosive devices with the Westchester County Hazardous Devices Unit and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms assisting, according to the Journal News.

No injuries or significant damage have been reported, and the Police Department is uncertain as of yet what type of device was involved in these incidents.

As the investigation continues, the college has taken several steps to ensure the safety of its students.

“We increased the level of security and also the level of alert that security is on, and the New Rochelle Police Department has increased their patrols in this part of New Rochelle,” Carlson said.

The college continues to work with the police department to assist with the investigation and encourages students to share any information they may have.

“If anyone sees anything suspicious, alert Campus Safety and Security as soon as possible,” Carlson said. “This is key for keeping the community safe.”

Anyone with any information of suspicious activity can contact the New Rochelle Police Department at 914-654-2300 or Campus Safety and Security at (914) 633-2560.