Route 28 was closed in both directions near Route 606 Wednesday evening after what was believed to be a grenade was located inside a vehicle involved in a property damage accident.

Around 6:25PM March 14th Loudoun County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a rear-end collision in the northbound lanes of Route 28. As personnel were clearing the scene, a Loudoun County Volunteer Fire Fighter observed what appeared to be a grenade in one of the vehicles involved in the accident.

As a precaution, Route 28 was shutdown in both directions and the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office coordinated with Loudoun County Fire-Rescue, the Loudoun County Bomb Squad and the Loudoun County Fire Marshal’s Office to investigate the device.

The item was determined to be a replica grenade and was deemed harmless.

Route 28 was reopened in both directions shortly after 9:30PM.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation and further details will be released as they become available.