The Victors

DETROIT – Multiple streets were closed in Detroit on Monday after picric acid was found.

According to the Detroit Fire Department, an old bottle filled with crystallized picric acid was found over the weekend inside John K. King Used and Rare Books on Lafayette Boulevard near the Lodge Freeway. The bottle was placed outside and was reported in the morning hours of Aug. 31.

No injuries were reported.

Picric acid is a colorless to yellow crystalline solid. It can be highly explosive when dry.

Multiple streets in the area were closed off as fire crews investigated the scene. Detroit police’s bomb squad responded to the scene to remove the bottle.

After further investigation, fire officials said a staff member found the bottle while she was cleaning over the weekend. She said she studied chemistry at Wayne State and realized the chemical might be unstable, so she brought the bottle outside.

The staff member said they collect antiques in addition to books, and the bottle was part of the collection.