Police have launched a criminal mischief investigation after a fake bomb was found on the porch of a rooming house in Toronto’s west end.

Emergency crews were called to a building on Wade Avenue, near Bloor Street and Lansdowne Avenue, at approximately 10:55 a.m. on Wednesday after a nearby resident spotted a suspicious object.

“There was a can with some kind of substance in it. It looked like tar,” said Dianne Hart, who discovered the fake explosive device.

A bomb squad, paramedics and firefighters were called in. The rooming house and surrounding area were evacuated until investigators could determine whether the object posed a safety threat.

Bloordale bomb scare

The fake explosive was made of a paint can with wiring wrapped around it and was “definitely made to look like bomb,” said Toronto Fire District Chief Paul Halls. A small fire had also been lit beside the object.

The bomb squad scanned the device twice before determining that it was not a real bomb and posed no threat.

Firefighters have cleared the scene on Wade Avenue but police remain on scene collecting evidence in the hopes that they will be able to identify the person for the bomb scare.

Bloordale bomb scare

“We haven’t determined the motive yet,” said Toronto Police Sgt. Art Kotas. “That’s another aspect of this investigation we’re now working on.”

Whoever is responsible will likely face a criminal mischief charge, police said.

With a report from Tamara Cherry