Suspect package blown up was fishing rod

• Tweet

NORTH VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Police in the Canadian community of North Vancouver played it safe and blew up a suspicious package Thursday only to find out it contained a fishing rod.

The cylindrical package was found in the Lonsdale Quay area of the British Columbia city, prompting police to invoke a lockdown, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported. The security measure brought SeaBus ferry service to a standstill during the rush hour, and led to the closing of a shopping center and evacuation of office buildings within several blocks.

Things got back to normal after police detonated the package shortly after 5 p.m. local time

"We have to err on the side of caution," Royal Canadian Mounted Police Constable Michael McLaughlin said of the pre-emptive strike that took out a fishing rod. "Our job is to keep you safe and that is why we did what we did today."

People and fish in the area likely breathed a sigh of relief.