Hollywood is a place of glitz, glamour, red carpet star-studded events, and of spectacular fireworks displays, which we all expect to see during events like big premier nights and award shows. 

Yes, Hollywood can be an exciting place but pedestrians, residents, and shop owners alike became part of a Hollywood-like movie scene when a bomb scare rocked the area near the Dolby Theatre on Thursday.


Reports indicate that the incident began at around 11 a.m. when a man was said to be recklessly driving a black Jetta near the streets of Highland Avenue and Yucca. The man then exited the car and began walking the streets carrying a propane tank and claiming that he had more explosives in the trunk of his car.

The Los Angeles police detained the man in question while the bomb squad and fire department searched the vehicle for possible explosives.

At 3 p.m. the intersection of Hollywood and Highland was shut down for more than two hours. Investigators found two canisters of nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas.

The canisters were confirmed to be non-flammable but bomb disposal technicians were given the green light to detonate the canisters as a safeguard.

"The trunk blew open and liquid came out. There was no smoke or fire. It shattered the lower bumper," said Mark Hagedorn, a guest staying in the Loews Hollywood Hotel.

Upon further investigation, no explosives were found, as confirmed by police spokeswoman Jane Kim. The area around the Dolby Theatre, home for this Sunday's 87th annual Academy Awards, was given an all-clear after being shut down for about five hours.

When asked about the long procedure it took to clear the area, LAPD Sgt. Barry Montgomery stated, "You always have to be cautious. This is the Academy Awards. You always have to treat it as if there is more to it."

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