SOMERSWORTH, N.H. (AP) – Darin Paige thought the three cups of flour left in and on his mailbox on Saturday was a lame prank against his teenage daughter. Police thought it might have been anthrax.

Two hours and a closed road later, officials determined it wasn’t a terrorist attack, but instead a baking supply.

“They took it as far as they could take it,” Paige said. “Honestly, I could smell flour when I opened the mailbox … I wish, almost, I hadn’t called.”

Officials defended the response, saying the precaution was needed.

“We take no chances until proven otherwise,” said Somersworth Fire Lt. Mike Clough. “We can’t determine what it is by looking, and in the event that it is (anthrax), we need to take our precautions.”