About 3,000 people were evacuated from the Hilton Parsippany on Saturday afternoon due to a bomb threat and a gas leak, according to a police report.

At the time, the hotel was crowded with fans mingling with celebrities at the annual Chiller Theater Festival.

Police responded to the hotel at 2:29 pm. after receiving a call signaling a gas leak and ordered the evacuation of the loading dock and the ballroom where the festival was being held.

During the evacuation, an employee at the hotel reception informed the police that an unknown suspect had just called to report a bomb threat.

This report prompted the police to evacuate the entire resort, which includes a Ruth's Chris Steakhouse restaurant and a Hampton Inn hotel.

An on-site search, which included K-9 units from the Morris County Sheriff's Office and the New Jersey State Police, found no suspicious devices.

A gas leak was located, repaired and verified by New Jersey Natural Gas staff.

Vendors and guests were allowed to return to the building at 18:00.

Due to the crowd, mutual assistance was requested from several agencies. Responses came from Hanover Police, Morristown, Morris Plains, Morris Township, Denville and Morris County Park; the Parsippany, Mount Tabor, Rainbow Lakes and Parsippany Lake fire departments and the Parsippany Emergency Management Office.

The Chiller Theater Festival attracts thousands of fans each year who meet and take photos with a wide and eclectic assortment of celebrities. This year's guest list includes TV stars Barbara Eden, Richard Thomas and the distribution meetings of "Good Times" and "The Love Boat"; actress Carmen Electra, rapper Ice-T and musicians Richie and CJ Ramone.

The festival ends Sunday.

11 killed: NJ politicians react to shooting at Pittsburgh Synagogue

NJ 11: Michael Bloomberg to Spend $ 1.8 Million on Mikie Sherrill's Blitz

Largest generation: In memory of "Man's Monuments", Harry Ettlinger, of the Second World War.

Editor William Westhoven: 973-917-9242; [email protected].

Read or share this story: https://www.dailyrecord.com/story/news/2018/10/28/bomb-scare-gas-leak-chase-3-000-chiller-theatre-fest-parsippany/1796350002/