Toronto police temporarily shut down a street outside the Royal Ontario Museum Wednesday night after finding what had appeared to be a pipe bomb, but a YouTube video suggested the incident was a hoax.

The object was found at approximately 7:10 p.m. and appeared to be three pipes wired together.

A YouTube video entitled "The fake bombing at the ROM, Toronto, 28.11.07" suggested at least two people staged the event.

A robot was used to collect the object, which was wrapped in paper. Police later confirmed it was not an actual bomb.

Bloor Street was closed between St. George Street and Avenue Road, and police used a bomb-sniffing dog to search for any other potential explosives in the area.

Half of the museum was evacuated. The ROM was scheduled to host an AIDS fundraising event at 9 p.m. that was cancelled. About 1,200 people were expected to attend, and tickets had cost $600.

The fundraiser was organized by the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research.