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‘Suspicious device’ that prompted partial evacuation of Calgary hospital ‘rendered safe’

Click to play video: 'Arson team investigating suspicious package found near Calgary’s Peter Lougheed Hospital'
Arson team investigating suspicious package found near Calgary’s Peter Lougheed Hospital
WATCH: The Calgary police arson team is investigating after a suspicious package was found near Peter Lougheed hospital Thursday morning. Part of the hospital and many nearby businesses were evacuated. Lauren Pullen reports – Oct 18, 2018

Police say a “suspicious device” that prompted the evacuation of a number of businesses, as well as part of the Peter Lougheed Centre hospital, was rendered safe as of 2 p.m. Thursday.

Officers were called to the London Town Square strip mall at about 9:50 a.m. for reports that a suspicious package had been found behind the mall.

Businesses in the mall, as well as hospital staff and patients in north-facing rooms of the hospital,  were evacuated as a precaution as a number of police resources and the Calgary Fire Department rushed to the scene.

Calgary police deployed a bomb disposal robot after a suspicious package was spotted near the Peter Lougheed Centre on Oct. 18, 2018. Loren Andreae/Global News

ATCO Gas was also called to shut off gas lines near the device.

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Calgary police brought in a bomb disposal robot to inspect and clear the device, tweeting just after 1:15 that the device had been “rendered safe.”

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“If you were in the area and heard a loud bang, that was us removing the package,” CPS tweeted.

Photos of the exploded device showed various pieces of debris on the ground, including several marbles.

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A police inspector told Global news Friday the incident was actually part of a geocaching game or online treasure hunt.

Officers have spoken with the person responsible and found there was no ill intent and no charges are being laid.

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