MAROOCHYDORE'S Ocean Street has been re-opened after police from the bomb squad in Brisbane detonated an explosive device.

Police officers from the Explosive Ordnance Response team took the small cylinder into a neat loading bay and pierced the top of it to release "gas pressure".

A loud band could be heard in the busy business district.

The bin is outside an area accommodated by Integrated Family and Youth Service (IFYS), WIN Television and the Westpac Bank.

Dozens of businesses have been evacuated from the area along with hundreds of shoppers.

Police said they had no idea yet of any motive for the attack with no information left with the device.

Officers from Brisbane are collecting evidence which will be taken to Brisbane for examination.

Police say the contents inside the suspicious device are of "concern".

The bomb squad from Brisbane took an x-ray of the suspicious device located on top of a garbage.

SUSPICIOUS DEVICE X-RAYED

THE bomb squad from Brisbane has taken an x-ray of the suspicious device in Ocean Street Maroochydore.

Two officers from the Brisbane based Explosive Ordnance Response team wearing protective gear took an x-ray of the device using a portable machine.

After an examination, it is expected that an electric robot will be sent to retrieve it.

The street is still closed to the public.

Police said there was no indication the device was targeted at any particular business.

EXPLOSIVE TEAM ARRIVES

A BOMB specialist team from Brisbane has arrived at Ocean Street in Maroochydore where a suspicious device was discovered this morning.

Police closed off the area surrounding Big Top Shopping Centre just after 9am after workers raised the alarm.

The device is located on the top of a garbage bin outside IFYS officers and WIN TV.

It is about 10cm tall and looks like a small gas cylinder or deodorant can.

Superintendent Terry Borland said police had not received any information regarding the suspicious device.

He said it appeared to have a trigger tied down by a rubber band.

"We have evacuated the area as a precaution."

DEVICE FOUND IN OCEAN ST

WORKERS in Maroochydore's Ocean Street have been told to keep away after a 'device' was found on top of a bin.

Police said bomb squad officers had been called in to check out the device found outside Solbar some time after 9am.

A Daily reporter at the scene said workers in neighbouring offices have been told to keep away from glass in their offices in case there is any explosion.

The device has been described as 'home-made' and possibly containing gunpowder.