The suspected pipe bomb that was found near Front and West Water streets in Hellertown Saturday morning was not a bomb, according to borough police officer Jeff Johnston, who is quoted in an Express-Times story published this afternoon.

The item, which was labeled "suspicious" by police in a press release, turned out to be a piece of PVC pipe filled with birdshot, and was not explosive, Johnston told the newspaper.

Police said in the release that upon initial investigation, "it appeared the item was possibly a pipe bomb."

The discovery of the suspicious item prompted road closures and evacuations in the center of town, as well as a coordinated response by the Bethlehem Police Department Bomb Squad, Northampton County Emergency Management, Dewey Fire Company and Dewey EMS, in addition to borough and Lower Saucon Township police.

Evacuated residents were allowed to return to their homes after the device was detonated and examined by members of the bomb squad.

Hellertown police are continuing to investigate the incident, and at this point are unclear if the item was purposely placed where it was found as a prank, according to the Express-Times report.