Explosives unit disposes of possible bomb found in Vernon park

VERNON – A possible bomb found in Vernon’s Marshall Field was blown up by RCMP early this morning.

The device was discovered by a member of the public who called 911 around 9 p.m. last night, March 27. RCMP Sgt. Colby Attlesey says the homemade device, which was found on top of a concrete parking barrier, was made of a pipe attached to a fire extinguisher tank, resembling a pipe bomb.

“Somebody placed it there obviously for a reason, shock or something along those lines,” Attlesey says.

Officers cleared the area and called the RCMP explosives unit from Vancouver, which arrived early this morning.

The team destroyed the device on site around 4 a.m. today, March 28, generating two loud bangs that may have sounded like gun shots. There was no risk to the public.

Attlesey says it remains unknown whether the device was actually explosive, or just a mock-up. There are no suspects, and police are asking anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area last night to give them a call.

Coincidentally, police dealt with a similar incident yesterday morning. A cyclist on the Sidewinder Trail in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park discovered the remnants of an old military mortar.

The area around Cosens Bay was used for military training during the Second World War, and it’s not uncommon for old mortars to be found.

In this case, the military disposal unit was called in from Victoria. Upon investigation, it was determined that the object was only the tail fins of a mortar, and did not contain the explosive portion.

“We are still very grateful the citizen called it in,” Attlesey says.

If you see something that could be an unexploded ordnance, the Department of National Defence recommends that you call 911 immediately and do not touch the device. Note the location and leave the area the same way you came in.

As of 10 a.m. today, RCMP and military teams had wrapped up their investigations at both sites.

“Both scenes are cleared and perfectly fine for the public to enjoy,” Attlesey says.

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