Victoria police evacuated a supportive housing complex near Christ Church Cathedral after receiving a report of a possible explosive device. The complex was cleared after several hours, with no explosives found.
Police evacuated a supportive-housing complex near Christ Church Cathedral for several hours on Sunday while they investigate a report of a possible explosive device. Entrances to Mount Edwards Court at 1002 Vancouver St. and the nearby sidewalk were blocked off from about 2 p.m. to shortly before 5:30 p.m., when police declared it was “all clear” and that no explosives were found. A number of building residents were outside, after being told by police to leave their homes.
Victoria police spokesperson Cheryl Major said officers were responding to a report of a “possible explosive” discovered in someone’s belongings. Out of an abundance of caution, nearby residents were evacuated while an emergency response team dealt with the possible device, Major said in a statement. About a dozen officers were on site. “Anyone who could be impacted has been alerted and there is no greater risk to the public,” she said. Some second floor residents could still be seen at their windows despite the evacuation order. An officer wearing a helmet and a protective vest was seen going into building, carrying a briefcase and other equipment. Within 30 minutes, police began opening up the area and some residents cheered when the doors opened and they could go back inside. About 20 evacuees took shelter in a B.C. Transit bus parked on Vancouver Street to keep out of the wind and rain. Others chose to stay outside. A B.C. Transit spokesperson said the transit agency provided the bus at the request of Victoria police. Mount Edwards Court is a former care home facility that was converted in 2017 into a 78-unit supportive-housing site for those age 50 and up. In 2019, facility operator Cool Aid Society set up 15 additional affordable housing units on the building’s third floor. Cool Aid staff who were at the scene declined to speak to the Times Colonist and the organization’s media representatives did not immediately respond to a request for commen
EXPLOSIVE DEVICE POLICE EVACUATION SUPPORTIVE HOUSING VICTORIA BC MOUNT EDWARDS COURT
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