A bomb scare shut down a stretch of East Tremont Avenue near Westchester Square Thursday afternoon.

Police evacuated stores around the 2700 block and diverted traffic after discovering an object that looked like it could have been a pipe bomb on the sidewalk.

It prompted a shutdown between Frisby Avenue and Silver Street during the height of rush hour as the bomb squad investigated.

About two hours later the NYPD gave an all-clear.

"We were out for about two hours," says Fazal Rhman, who owns the pharmacy right where the device turned up. "It's a little bit nerve-wracking and a little bit scary, but having the police presence there really put everybody at ease."

It prompted a shutdown between Frisby Avenue and Silver Street during the height of rush hour as the bomb squad investigated.

About two hours later the NYPD gave an all-clear.

"We were out for about two hours," says Fazal Rhman, who owns the pharmacy right where the device turned up. "It's a little bit nerve-wracking and a little bit scary, but having the police presence there really put everybody at ease."

The NYPD's 45 Precinct tweeted that the object was safe at 5:39 p.m.

East Tremont Avenue reopened to traffic a few minutes later.