Fake Hand Grenade Forces Evacuation Of South Philly Charter School

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A South Philadelphia charter school was evacuated on Wednesday morning after a student brought a dummy hand grenade to school.

The incident took place at the Performing Arts Charter School, in the 2600 block of South Broad Street.

The bomb squad was called and the school was cleared out.  The student told investigators he had purchased the dummy grenade at a flea market.

Once the bomb squad gave the all-clear, students were allowed back in and classes resumed.  The bomb squad said it would dispose of the fake device, which is similar to those used for military training and are sometimes brought back from the service by ex-servicepeople who save them as souvenirs.

Reported by: Al Novack, KYW Newsradio