WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said Monday two items believed to be marine flares went off inside a mall in U.S. state of Florida Sunday afternoon, instead of what police initially said explosive devices.
The items "were ignited in a mall hallway, creating a large amount of smoke, and backpack was located at the scene," the FBI said in a statement.
Authorities responded to a fire alarm reported at the Eagle Ridge Mall in Lake Wales on Sunday afternoon, before finding what they believed to an improvised explosive device along with a book bag.
The mall was quickly evacuated after the incident, and no injuries were reported.
"Bomb technicians examined the contents of the backpack and determined it did not contain any incendiary or explosive devices," according to the statement.
There was "no current indication of any terrorist connection to this incident," the FBI added.
The agency is assisting state and local officials in determining the cause of the incident.
Investigators were reportedly looking for a person of interest, described as a middle-aged white man, as a manhunt is still continuing.
