A thrift store in Sidney on Vancouver Island was evacuated Saturday and explosives experts were called in after a “possible historical military explosive device” was donated to the shop.

It proved to be a false alarm.

The Sidney North Saanich detachment of the RCMP responded to reports of the item at the store, located on Fourth Street near Oakville Avenue, around 2:30 p.m. Mounties then reached out to the navy.

“Navy explosive experts attended the scene at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 10, 2024, and determined the device to be a fake,” police said in a news release.

“The RCMP would like to thank the Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt for its assistance with this matter and the public for their patience.”

Police had originally issued a news release about the device Saturday around 5 p.m, saying police had evacuated and contained the area while they awaited help from military ordinance personnel.

They released another notice Sunday morning to say the device was a fake.

The area has now been cleared with no risk to the public, police say.