Police detonate improvised explosive device found near site of vehicle explosion in Barrie parking lot
No injuries were reported after an improvised explosive device placed on a vehicle in the parking lot of a residential building in Barrie exploded overnight, police say.
According to the Barrie Police Service, emergency crews were called to the parking lot of a low-rise residential building on Anne Street at around 3 a.m. after receiving multiple 911 calls about an explosion.
“Upon arrival, Barrie Fire and Emergency Services, along with Barrie police personnel, located a vehicle that had in fact exploded, partially, and we also located an improvised explosive device nearby,” police spokesperson Peter Leon told reporters on Wednesday afternoon.
“As a result of what was located, an immediate evacuation of the residence was required.”
Several nearby roads were closed and residents of the apartment building were removed from the area using local transit buses.
Police are investigating an early-morning incident on Anne Street North in Barrie. Wed. Sept. 27, 2023 (Courtesy of Michael Chorney/At the Scene Photography).
Other residents of the surrounding neighbourhood were told to shelter in place and the movement of traffic in and out of the area was restricted.
“As of around 8:30 this morning, the Barrie police explosive disposal unit did attend the scene and was able to safely and remotely detonate an improvised explosive device that was located a short distance away from the vehicle,” Leon continued, adding that the device was found about 10 to 12 feet away.
“We believe at this point that there was an explosive device placed upon the motor vehicle parked in the parking lot and that a portion of that device did not explode at the time, became dislodged, and that was the device that was remotely imploded by our explosive disposal unit.”
Members of the Ontario Provincial Police Service’s K9 unit were called in to ensure that no other explosive devices were in the area.
Fortunately, Leon said, no members of the public or first-responders were injured as a result of the incident.
“We have no less than five high-rise buildings, a retirement home, and a neighbourhood community in close proximity,” Leon said. “Certainly this could have been a disastrous outcome.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Alberta RCMP officer charged with 2 counts of sexual assault
Const. Bridget Morla, a Leduc RCMP officer, has been charged with two counts of sexual assault in connection with an incident that happened two years ago.
Ontario dad removes hockey rink at heart of neighbour dispute
A Markham dad who drew the ire of neighbours and the city after installing a hockey rink in his backyard says the rink has now been taken down.
Motivated by obsession: Canadians accused in botched California murder plot in police custody
Two Canadians are in police custody in Monterey County, California, after a triple stabbing police say was motivated by a B.C. man's obsession with a woman he played video games with online.
Kingston, Ont. doctor in 'disbelief' after being ordered to repay $600K for pandemic vaccination payments
An Ontario health tribunal has ordered a Kingston, Ont. doctor to repay over $600,000 to the Ontario government for improperly billing thousands of COVID-19 vaccinations at the height of the pandemic.
Trump demands immediate release of Oct. 7 hostages, says otherwise there will be 'HELL TO PAY'
President-elect Donald Trump is demanding the immediate release of the Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza, saying that if they are not freed before he is sworn into office there will be “HELL TO PAY."
Belly fat linked to signs of Alzheimer’s 20 years before symptoms begin, study says
As the size of a person’s belly grows, the memory centre of their brain shrinks and beta amyloid and tau may appear — all of this occurring as early as a person’s 40s and 50s, well before any cognitive decline is apparent, according to new research.
AC/DC announces North American stadium tour, Vancouver lone Canadian stop
Big news for AC/DC fans as the heavy metal bigwigs announced Monday they will hit the road next spring. But as of now, there’s only one Canadian show on the docket.
Alleged gang member driving from U.S. arrested at Canadian border after making wrong turn
An alleged gang member coming from the United States was arrested at the Canadian border after reportedly making a wrong turn onto the Peace Bridge border crossing.
Nova Scotia lawyer suspended following ugly courtroom fracas
A Nova Scotia lawyer who had to be restrained by deputy sheriffs during a court appearance earlier this year has lost his appeal of a suspension following the bizarre incident.