WASHINGTON — Several homes were evacuated on Friday afternoon after a pipe bomb was found in Sterling, Va.

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s office says the 12-inch long pipe bomb was found around near the sidewalk on Manning Square near Whitcomb square around 1 p.m.

Several townhouses were evacuated while the device was being examined by a police robot. Everyone was let back into their homes around 5 p.m. when the device was taken to be destroyed.

The Fire Marshall’s office is now investigating.

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