An apparent pipe bomb was found Thursday in a northwest Austin residence.

According to an Austin Police Department report, a man hired by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to clean a unit at 1208 Fourth Ave. NW found the device.

It did not contain any explosive materials.

Police officers went to the residence at 10:59 a.m. Thursday to investigate the report.

According to a police department spokesman, the device was found in a box decorated with two smiling faces.

The device was described as 20 inches long and one inch in diameter. A cursory examination at the scene revealed the pipe to be empty and it was taken to the Austin-Mower County Law Enforcement Center for further examination, according to police reports.

At the LEC, investigators found a white, chalky residue on the inside of the pipe.

The residue was sent away for laboratory analysis.

Police said the unit was vacant and being prepared for new tenants. However, police said they will question the previous tenants about the discovery.

Lee Bonorden can be reached at 434-2232 or by e-mail at mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com