NEWPORT — The police summoned a bomb squad to the city Wednesday afternoon after someone walking near Van Zandt bridge found what appeared to be a pipe bomb.

“They said they were walking along the beach and found a white PVC pipe that was sealed and had a fuse sticking out of one end,” said Lt. Michael Brennan.

When an officer responded to Washington Street and observed the object, the police called in the state Fire Marshal’s office. The area was secured and an expert disabled the apparent explosive device by firing a water slug at it.

Brennan said that the evidence was collected and brought to the Fire Marshal’s office for further investigation.