SAN DIEGO -- The discovery of an object resembling a pipe bomb in front of a Sorrento Valley business that recently laid off a number of employees prompted evacuations and a street closure in the area Thursday, authorities reported.

Late Thursday evening, police said the object turned out to be an empty cardboard tube.

The cylinder, which appeared to be capped on both ends, was found near the pharmaceutical company in the 6400 block of Nancy Ridge Drive about 5 p.m., according to police.

Officers blocked off the street in the area and cleared everyone out of nearby buildings, then called in the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department's bomb squad to determine if the object was an explosive device or any other kind of hazard.

The business in front of which the tube turned up reportedly had let some employees go recently, Maurice Luque of the SDFRD said.