The device that propelled a neighborhood evacuation and school lock down in Wilmington, Delaware this morning turned out to be a battery, authorities said.
The old-style battery was found by a construction worker who was excavating in the area.
Intially authorites thought the device could cause an explosion. That information was sent by Wilmington police through the department's Twitter account this afternoon:
@WPDPIO EOD has secured ordnance, possible military grade smoke grenade, and removing from the area, operations continue. — Wilmington Police (@WPDPIO) September 19, 2013
Several homes were evacuated and Harlan Elementary School was locked down after a public works crew unearthed the device around 10:15 a.m. when crews were excavating along the 500 block of Barrett Street.
A construction worker told NBC10.com that the device came up in a bucket and looked like the size of a soda can.
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The worker says the battery was wrapped in cardboard with wires coming out of it and had the word “Nitro” in it. The worker then placed the device on a pick-up truck.
Authorities immediately evacuated the 500 block of Barrett Street and put the school on lock down as a precaution.
Around 2 p.m. police lifted the neighborhood evacuation and were preparing to safety detonate the battery:
The EOD team has concluded operations on Barrett St. Ordnance removed for secure detonation. Evacuation order lifted. — Wilmington Police (@WPDPIO) September 19, 2013
