'Contact Police Or Military If Found': Mysterious Canister Appears On Hamptons Beach

EAST HAMPTON, NY — Police were called after a large canister was found on an East Hampton beach, authorities said.

According to East Hampton town police, on Sunday at about 8:39 a.m., a call came in about the canister, found at Two Mile Hollow Road.

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The canister indicated that if found, police should be notified, authorities said. When officers arrived, the found the large gray canister, which read: "Contact police or military if found," police said.

The canister appeared to be some "military grade munition"; smoke was coming from one end of the canister, police said.

The United States Coast Guard was notified and a petty officer, who was sent an image, said the canister appeared to be a flare used during a training exercise, police said.

East Hampton fire chiefs responded and said the smoke was coming from a mixture of phosphorus and water, police said.

The fire chiefs took the canister for disposal, police said.