Penticton police investigating exploding Christmas present

PENTICTON – An unexpected Christmas present left a 72-year-old woman with minor injuries yesterday morning.

Penticton RCMP, firefighters and B.C. Ambulance personnel attended a residence at Sun Leisure Trailer Park around 10:50 a.m., Nov. 30, after a 911 call reporting an explosion, Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth says in a RCMP media release.

Dorothy Czerniak, 72, says she found the small parcel covered in wrapping paper at the end of her driveway on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 30. 

The explosion startled Czerniak, singed her face and started a small fire. 

After the explosion, Czerniak's son called 911. Police responded and placed a section of the park on lockdown. 

B.C. RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit and a Post Blast Forensic are conducting a further investigation, Wrigglesworth says. Local RCMP officers interviewed witnesses and neighbours, and canvassed the area for video surveillance footage of the incident.

Anyone with information related to explosion are asked to call Penticton RCMP at 250-492-4300.

— This story was updated at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016 with more information from RCMP. 

— This story was updated at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016 with files from The Canadian Press.

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