Philly Bomb Squad Blows Up Fake Bomb

Philadelphia emergency personnel on Friday took every precaution when detonating a bomb found on a downtown street.

It was just that the bomb turned out to be a fake.

And not even a fake designed to scare people — the “device” was a prop from a play, “We Are Bandits,” that had just ended its run, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Not needing the prop any more, they tossed it in a nearby Dumpster.

Which is right where it was found — and assumed to be real.

The “device” was detonated by a bomb-disposal expert, the Inquirer says, but not before nearby buildings were evacuated, and the area roped off with police tape.

When the mistake was explained, emergency personnel were relieved, the Inquirer said.

After all, better safe than sorry.