WATCH: Police at John Paul II Catholic School following a nearby bomb threat.
One suspect was arrested Thursday morning after a homemade bomb was reported at the Port Alberni Shelter at 3978 – 8th Ave.
All available RCMP members responded at around 10:33 a.m. along with the Port Alberni Fire Department.
WATCH: Police respond to a report of a homemade bomb at the Port Alberni Shelter. Submitted.
The shelter and nearby homes were evacuated. The staff and students at nearby St. John Paul II Catholic School were moved to a secure area. Parents have been able to pick their children up from the area.
The “E” Division Explosive Disposal Unit IN vANCOUVER has been contacted and are going to the scene. The area around the school and the shelter are cordoned off.
Police at John Paul II Catholic School following a nearby bomb threat. Submitted.
One man was arrested in connection with the incident.
“We are early into our investigation and we are taking all precautions to ensure everyone’s safety. At this time the immediate area around the shelter is closed to all traffic, including pedestrians. At this time it is not known whether the device is real or not,” Cpl. Amelia Hayden, media relations officer for the Port Alberni RCMP, said in a release.
Some displaced residents took shelter from the windstorm at the Port Alberni RCMP detachment. The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) was activated and emergency shelter and transit plans for those displaced was provided.
Those residents will be supported by Emergency Support Services coordinated through the local EOC and Emergency Management BC.
Alexa Huffman
