A homemade explosive device believed to be made of a bottle and toilet bowl cleaner was detonated early this morning outside an Augustana College residence hall, but campus authorities do not believe it was a danger to anyone.

The explosion happened about 3 a.m. outside of Westerlin Hall, college spokeswoman Keri Rursch said this afternoon. An Augustana staffer saw something thrown from a Westerlin window, and when the object hit the ground there was a small explosion and some smoke.

The employee called police, and the investigation determined the object appeared to have been a bottle that had been filled with toilet bowl cleaner and tin foil, Ms. Rursch said. The object was not filled with anything that would have served as shrapnel.

No injuries or damage was reported, she said. There was no evacuation because the explosion happened outside.

She said it was not believed to have been a threat, but college authorities are not disregarding the incident.

"We are at a time in history when we take every threat seriously," Ms. Rursch said.

A student was identified as possibly being involved, she said. She would not identify the student in more detail.

A representative of the Rock Island Police Department could not immediately be reached for contact.