Two men built the mysterious bunker found near York University in Toronto to use the space as a "man cave," police announced Monday.
- Do you know who built the bunker? Email torontodesk@ctv.ca
In a brief news release issued early Monday morning, police said they received several tips about the case that allowed them to identify two men.
"They made it clear that it was (built) for personal reasons and we verified that," Toronto Police Communications Director Mark Pugash told CTV News Channel.
The men will not be publicly identified because they have not been charged, Toronto Police Const. Victor Kwong told CTV Toronto in an email. Police later told CTV Toronto's Colin D'Mello that the men are in their 20s.
"We contacted them, interviewed them, and are satisfied with all the information we received," Kwong wrote.
He told CP24's Stephanie Smyth that the chamber was meant to be used as a "man cave," a term used to describe a place where men can be alone and indulge in hobbies with other male friends.
"Investigators have verified their account and are satisfied there was neither criminal intent nor any threat to the people or city of Toronto," he wrote.
Pugash said the specific reasons were unimportant to police, as long as the bunker did not risk the safety of those in the area.
The underground bunker was discovered in mid-January, under a wooden trap door buried in dirt. It was located just a few hundred metres from the Rexall Centre, also known as the Canadian Tennis Centre, which will be hosting Pan Am tennis competitions this summer.
The bunker measured 1.9 metres tall by 0.9 metres wide by 10 metres long, police said. A 3-metre-deep tunnel with a ladder led into the bunker.
The walls were supported by plywood planks, and moisture-resistant lights were installed inside. A gas-powered generator and tools were found inside, and a poppy affixed to a rosary was nailed to the wall.
Police found a gas can, food and drink containers, work gloves, a sump pump and a wheel barrow during their investigation.
They also found a pulley system, which police believe was used to carry dirt from the tunnel up to the surface while it was being dug.
On Monday, police told CTV Toronto they also found two chairs, candy wrappers and pop cans inside the structure. No electronics were found.
After a weeks-long investigation, police filled in the bunker, and told media they did not believe the bunker was intended to be used for any type of criminal activity.
Last week, police asked anyone who saw something suspicious to contact officers conducting the investigation.
"We went public last week because we had a lot of questions," Pugash said.
"Our concern from the outset was, was there anything criminal, or was there any danger to the people of the city or to the city. We're satisfied that neither is the case."
Police have concluded their investigation into the bunker.
This image released by Toronto police shows the entrance to the bunker
Image released by the Toronto Police Service shows the bunker
Image released by the Toronto Police Service shows an item from the bunker
This rosary with a poppy nailed to it was found inside of the bunker
Image released by the Toronto Police Service shows items from the bunker
Image released by the Toronto Police Service shows outside of the bunker
