LEWISTON – A broken radiator in the lobby outside U.S. Sen. Susan Collins’ office led police to close down Lisbon Street briefly Wednesday.

Collins’ staffers were alerted to a small metal tube sticking out from under three chairs in the lobby outside of the 11 Lisbon St. office about noon, according to Elissa Davidson, press secretary for the senator.

“The person identified himself as having a demolitions background, and he said he thought it might be an explosive,” Davidson said. “Based on that, our office contacted the police.”

The tube turned out to be part of the thermostat in the radiator behind the chairs.

“Officers quickly discovered that there was nothing to be worried about,” said Lewiston police Lt. Thomas Avery. “It happens, in this time of heightened security. People see unfamiliar things and it makes them nervous.”