SEBASTIAN — An all clear was given late Tuesday after authorities determined what was initially thought to be a “grenade” was a non-explosive toy, police said.
The ‘suspicious’ item prompted nearby evacuations of homes and a response from police and a bomb squad unit, Sebastian police spokesman Lt. Timothy Wood said. The item was found about 6 p.m. Tuesday in the road near Orange Avenue and Fleming Street, just south of the Sebastian Municipal Airport.
Homes in the area were evacuated and surrounding roads were closed for about two and a half hours.
The Patrick Air Force Base’s bomb unit responded to the scene, determined the item was a non-explosive and removed it from the area by 8:30 p.m., Wood said. All roads reopened and residents were allowed back in their homes by 8:40 p.m.
It was not immediately clear how the item got in the roadway.