The two explosive devices found in a lane near Alpha secondary school Wednesday afternoon were inert, say Burnaby RCMP.

What were initially reported as mortar bombs were determined to be inactive by a bomb disposal team from Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, who removed the devices for disposal about 11:30 a.m. Thursday, said Burnaby RCMP Corp. Brenda Gresiuk.

She said the devices had been left out among some garbage, apparently for disposal. A passerby spotted them and called Burnaby Fire Department.

When BFD realized what it was dealing with, they called Burnaby RCMP at about 3:15 p.m. that afternoon.

Police closed off roads in all directions, from Willingdon Avenue to Gamma Avenue and from Parker Street to Union Street, for several hours. It also evacuated Alpha secondary as well as several homes in the neighbourhood.

Officers emailed a digital photo of the devices to the RCMP bomb squad who in turn contacted the team from CFB Esquimalt. The military experts confirmed the devices would be safe in that configuration until they could arrive the next morning.

Residents were allowed to return to their homes and Gresiuk said a Burnaby RCMP officer was assigned to guard the devices until the military team could arrive.

"The were found to be inert so they were never a danger to the public at any time," she said.

Media reports said they had been identified as antiques dating back to the Second World War.

As for the person who reported the device, she said, "They did the right thing by calling emergency services when you come across something like this because you just never know."

Gresiuk said there would be no criminal investigation of the owners.

"We were initially just concerned about public safety."

wchow@burnabynewsleader.com