More than two dozen people had to evacuate houses and buildings in Erwin on Friday night after a man brought what he thought was an explosive device to the fire department.
The Erwin Police Department said the man said he found the device in his shed and brought it to the fire department to dispose of it.
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Bomb experts with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Fort Bragg were called to dispose of the device.
Erwin Fire Department authorities said two houses and several commercial buildings were evacuated in downtown Erwin. Several streets in the area were closed down as well out of an abundance of caution, according to police.
The area is safe as of Saturday morning, police said.