Submitted Photo Pictured is the mysterious capsule that resulted in the bomb squad responding to the Dunkirk Lighthouse Tuesday.

What started as an innocuous capsule washing up on shore, resulted in first responders heading to the Dunkirk Lighthouse Tuesday afternoon.

According to a lighthouse representative, the odd canister measured about a foot in length, had been brought to the museum a while ago. The representative speculated it was brought to the lighthouse from where it was found on nearby Cedar Beach because the words “Marker Location Marine” and “Navigation” could be made out.

On Tuesday, a volunteer took a closer look at it to find the words “Hazardous Materials. Call Police or Military” nearly worn off. What was scarier was the fact the arming switch was turned to “arm,” not “safety.”

“At that point I thought I should call the police,” the representative told the OBSERVER.

The Chautauqua County bomb squad was assembled and along with the County HazMat team, responded to the lighthouse to do a controlled detonation of the capsule on the beach. The Dunkirk Fire Department joined them for back up.

See BOMB, Page A5

It turns out, the box was mostly harmless and is likely used like a flare to locate a ship when it sinks.

“It emits a red phosphorus glow, like a sparkler,” Dunkirk Police Chief Dave Ortolano added.

The Lighthouse representative said they also called the Coast Guard, but were advised it was not their device. So, the canister’s origin remains a mystery.