Mix-up prompts explosives scare in west Houston

HOUSTON

Authorities say a man had ordered marine flares and received his shipment earlier in the afternoon, but his order arrived in a package with the word "explosives" on it. The resident became alarmed, so he took it to the Houston Fire Department Station No. 2 in the 5800 block of Woodway Drive and reported it as a suspicious package.

Officers from the bomb squad, HazMat crews and the Houston Police Department responded and completely shut down Woodway Drive near Bering during the investigation. Firefighters also had evacuated residents of the nearby Deerbrook Apartments, as well as the fire station.

The man says he ordered the marine smoke bombs, which are legal to own, but just didn't expect them to come with that warning. The man and his wife took their package and returned home.

Authorities allowed evacuated residents to return to their homes and cleared the scene.

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