London police say a device found inside a vacant home Tuesday morning wasn’t explosive.
Officers were called to the property at 820 Princess Ave. in Old East Village around 9:30 a.m., after an employee of an independent cleaning company discovered what appeared to be a home-made pipe bomb.
The scene was closed off to pedestrians and vehicles on Tuesday. The explosive disposal unit sent a bomb disposal robot into the building and detonated the device at roughly 3 p.m.
“After the device was detonated, the explosive disposal unit member went into the residence to take a look at the device, and was determined to be not an explosive device,” said Constable Sandasha Bough. “Right now there is no threat to public safety at this time, however it is still an ongoing investigation,” said Bough, who pointed out police would remain on scene for several hours still, and it was unclear when neighbours would be permitted back into their homes.
“It’s definitely a scary situation for anybody… we need to definitely treat everyone like it is an explosive device because there is a threat to public safety, and here in London — and everywhere — public safety is paramount.”
With files from Natalie Lovie, Jacquelyn LeBel, Hala Ghonaim, and Liny Lamberink.