Police closed a busy street in downtown Camden for several hours on Friday after a suspicious backpack was found leaning against the post office.

With authorities on higher alert for potential terror attacks this holiday weekend, a state police bomb squad unit later detonated the bag, which turned out to contain the personal items of a local resident who had forgotten to retrieve the backpack.

According to information supplied by the Camden Police Department, the postmaster discovered the bag placed against the building’s north wall about  1:20 p.m. and – per post office policy – notified local law enforcement. Camden police ultimately decided to call the Maine State Police explosives disposal unit because of the backpack’s downtown location, its position next to a federal building and recent terror alerts.

A block of Bay View Street from Main Street to Frye Street – a section that includes numerous shops and restaurants along Camden Harbor – was closed to foot and vehicle traffic for more than three hours. The state police bomb squad used a “controlled detonation” to destroy the backpack after a technician wearing a protective suit inspected the bag, said Camden police Sgt. Dan Brown. Several hours later, a resident came to the police station to report that the bag was likely his and that he had left it there Thursday night and forgotten about it.

Brown said the man, who was not identified, was “truly apologetic” for the disruption. But Brown said residents, visitors and business owners were very cooperative and understanding of the road closure.