'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.

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.