Bomb scare near Oscars venue turns out to be false alarm

The LAPD's bomb squad was called after a 'reckless driver' was spotted brandishing a propane canister near the Dolby Theatre

The area around the Dolby Theater was closed down because of the scare (Reuters)

Los Angeles Police Department's bomb squad was called on Thursday after a bomb scare, which later turned out to be false, was triggered just a block away from where the Oscars will be held this weekend.

Roads and storefronts around the Dolby Theatre were cordoned off and controlled detonations had to be carried out, after reports were made aware of a man brandishing a propane tank and driving “recklessly” in the area.

A number of items were detonated by the bomb disposal technicians as a precaution but the LAPD confirmed that no explosives were found in the area.

According to witnesses, Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, just a mile from where Lady Gaga and Neil Patrick Harris were rehearsing ahead of this Sunday’s 87th annual Academy Awards, were closed for over five hours