A bomb threat called in to the corporate offices of Carmike Cinemas in Columbus, Ga., shut down theaters nationwide yesterday morning.

In Washington, police and fire personnel responded to the Carmike theater at Washington Square Mall as a precautionary measure, as the report about the threat did not specify any particular theater. The chain owns 236 theaters in 35 states.

“A precautionary check of the Cinema was completed and nothing was found,” said Lt. William Chrismon, spokesman for the Washington Police Department. “Management was assisted by police in determining if anything looked suspicious in the theater. Nothing was out of place or unusual.”

Fire-rescue-EMS personnel were staged at the Blockbuster building nearby, also there as a precaution, said Fire Chief Robbie Rose.

“We’re there in standby mode in the event you have a detonation,” he explained.

According to a statement by Terrel Mayton, spokesman for the movie chain, the threat against “all theaters showing ‘The Expendables 2’ was left on a voicemail message this morning.“

Management at the local theater was unable to comment on the subject.

As most Carmike theaters were not opened for business, the threat did not interfere with movie showings. According to nationwide media reports, the theaters investigated by law enforcement have turned up negative for explosives, though a theater in Havelock was checked thoroughly by robot after a bomb-sniffing dog from Cherry Point alerted for explosives inside the theater.

Chrismon said the area was returned to normal shortly after the search.