VANCOUVER, Wash. — A portion of downtown Vancouver shut down Friday morning for several hours as police investigated a report of pipe bombs near the Vancouver waterfront, according to authorities.
Streets reopened Friday afternoon after authorities determined the items found were not explosives.
A person called 911 around 10:45 a.m. to report that while they were out on a walk, a man passed by and pointed out three pipe-shaped items, claiming they were pipe bombs. Officers shut down multiple streets near the Vancouver Waterfront, including Esther Street, Phil Arnold Way and Columbia Street, as well as rail traffic on the railroad tracks in the area.
Businesses and homes within a half-mile radius were also asked to stay indoors.
Around 1:40 p.m., Vancouver police said they'd lifted the shelter-in-place order and streets were reopening. Officers used a drone to locate the three pipe-shaped items, and it was determined through the Metro Explosive Disposal Unit and two explosive detection dogs that the items were not explosives.
This is a developing story and may be updated as more information is made available.