RCMP incident prompts evacuation of Duncan school, houses

RCMP incident prompts evacuation of Duncan school, houses
CHEK
Ecole Mount Prevost Middle School is shown in this undated Google Street View image.

The discovery of historically stored explosives has led to the evacuation of Ecole Mount Prevost school in Duncan.

The Cowichan Valley School District said an ongoing incident near the school prompted it to move students out of the school for the rest of the day “out of an abundance of caution.”

RCMP said the incident is related to explosives found by someone who was doing some gardening in the area. The explosives appeared to be historically stored, meaning they weren’t likely placed there recently, said BC RCMP spokesman Cpl. Chris Manseau. The incident does not appear to be criminal in nature, he said.

The gardener contacted police, leading some houses and the school to be evacuated.

Police are now asking everyone to avoid the area of Sherman Road and Auchinachie Road while an investigation takes place.

The school sent students to the soccer fields next door for the remainder of the day.

Parents who are available have been asked to come by and pick up their children if possible.

“If they cannot, we have shelter, food, water and our teachers all on site,” said a district spokesperson.

An explosives disposal unit was en route to deal with the materials.

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