UPDATE: Bomb squad detonates suspicious package on York Avenue in Kamloops | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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UPDATE: Bomb squad detonates suspicious package on York Avenue in Kamloops

Youtube: Bomb squad detonates package at 769 York Ave

UPDATE: RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Cheryl Bush says it's unlikely a suspicious package found at a York Avenue residence contained explosive materials. The Kamloops Serious Crime Unit continues to examine the evidence and look for the person responsible for this incident as well as another where a pipe bomb was found at the same residence March 28, 2014.

KAMLOOPS - The RCMP Explosive Device Unit arrived at a home on York Avenue today to detonate the contents of a suspicious black bag left on a resident's driveway this morning.

The package was discovered at 769 York Ave. by a neighbour just after 7 a.m. who then called RCMP. Residents of the home as well as neighbours, a nearby daycare centre and staff and students of Bert Edwards Science Centre and Technology School were evacuated and the area cordoned off to prevent traffic from entering. The bomb squad arrived from the lower mainland shortly after 12:30 p.m. to investigate. They closed off 8 Street between Sudbury and Halston Avenue during the investigation. The device was detonated at about 2 p.m. The street is now open and traffic is flowing again.

"They sent in the robot and they rendered the package safe," RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Cheryl Bush says, "and at this point now they'll go in and have a further examination of the fragments of what they just blasted and see what they're dealing with."

This is the second time an explosive device was left at the York Avenue residence. The first was found on the front step of the home and the bomb squad was called to detonate what was later determined to be a pipe bomb.

"What I can say in regards to the first incident is that is an active, ongoing investigation and so this will obviously be tagged on to that," Bush says. "So really, our focus here for the better part of today has been the scene and dealing with the package that was left there."

Bush adds RCMP efforts will now go toward finding out who is responsible for leaving the devices at the residence to ensure public safety is no longer an issue. She says both events have drawn police resources that may have gone towards other calls, but it's all about public safety. Closing schools and daycares may be a hassle, but Bush says the RCMP does whatever's required to ensure the neighbourhood is safe.

"We have to because of the unknown. That's the issue," Bush says. "We don't know exactly what was in this package and we don't want to take any chances and at the end of the day we just want to make sure there's no injuries."

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000 or call crime stoppers to remain anonymous.

Credit: Infotel News
Bomb squad detonates package at 769 York Ave.

To contact a reporter for this story, email gbrothen@infotelnews.ca, or call 250-319-7494. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

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