A suspicious package at the White House briefly caused streets at the residence’s south end to be closed to pedestrian traffic Thursday afternoon.

The package was discovered around 1 p.m. at the south fence along E Street Northwest. Upon investigation, the Secret Service found it to be harmless and cleared the package around 2:30 p.m., agency spokesman Bob Novy said.

During that time, pedestrian traffic was blocked off on E Street Northwest between 15th and 17th streets.

The area is now open to the public.