SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Using a robot, the Syracuse Police Department determined a "suspicious" package spotted downtown Friday was a water heater.

The Syracuse Police Department shut down Water Street at Franklin Street behind Cafe Kubal and ExpressMart after a caller reported spotting an odd silver container outside a parking garage, said Sgt. Rick Helterline.

The incident was reported at 11:37 a.m., Onondaga County 911 dispatch logs show.

Officers used a robot to check out the container. Then -- after yelling "fire in the hole!" -- officers used the robot to blow up the container.

After the quick explosion, officers checked out what was left of the container. It was a water heater, Helterline said.