MAGIC TRICK NO TREAT FOR POLICE

Suburban Chicago Police were called to a local hotel after "an explosive device" was reported in a guest's room. According to News Reports, "The officers who initially responded to the scene were unable to determine what it was they were dealing with, Bormann said. Other officers were summoned as police worked to identify the device, which had slots in which two of the user's fingers could be inserted. Investigators after several hours concluded the device was a hand-held "trick" often used in magic shows, Bormann said. The device consists of a battery and flash paper or cotton, and allows the magician to create the illusion of sparking or holding fire in his or her hands, Bormann said."