Police ask public to evacuate or shelter in place along stretch of Main Street in Exeter, Ont.

Editor’s note: The evacuation and road closures were lifted shortly before 6 p.m. Friday. On Monday morning, police said the investigation was related to a report of a possible hostage situation which was later deemed unfounded.

A large stretch of Main Street in Exeter, Ont., is closed to the public with several blocks evacuated due to an “ongoing police investigation,” Huron OPP said Friday.

Shortly after noon, police said there would be an “increased police presence in Exeter again today” and an hour later police announced road closures.

Main Street is closed from Huron Street to Wellington Street, and John Street is closed from Main Street to Andrew Street, one block east.

At roughly 3:30 p.m. on Friday, police said “due to the location of the police incident, businesses and residences located between Sanders Street and Anne Street have been evacuated to allow police to operate safely.”

Anyone who is unable to evacuate or chooses to stay is being asked to shelter in place, police said, “to avoid unintentional interruption of the police investigation.”
Police have also set up an evacuation centre at the South Huron Recreation Centre at 94 Victoria Street East.

On Thursday, police said they were on John Street for an undisclosed investigation. Then, at around 5 p.m., police said a search warrant had been executed and one person was arrested “without incident.” At that time, only John Street was closed.

Police have provided no further details about why they have deemed road closures and an evacuation necessary, nor have they shed any light on the nature of the investigation. However, police have confirmed to Global News that there is “no public safety concerns at this time.”

“Motorists and residents are asked to respect the closures and avoid the incident area. Commercial truck traffic will need to plan ahead if attempting to travel into or through the Town of Exeter,” police said in a statement.

“Alternate truck routes around Exeter include Morrison Line and Airport Line.”