Police evacuated a supportive-housing complex near Christ Church Cathedral for several hours on Sunday while they investigated a report of a possible explosive device left by a former tenant.
Entrances to Mount Edwards Court at 1002 Vancouver St. and the nearby sidewalk were blocked off from about 2 p.m. to shortly before 5:30 p.m., when police declared it was “all clear” and that no explosives were found. A number of building residents were outside, after being told by police to leave their homes.
Victoria police spokesperson Cheryl Major said that out of an abundance of caution, nearby residents were asked to leave their homes while an emergency response team dealt with the possible explosive device.
About a dozen officers were on site.
Some second-floor residents could still be seen at their windows despite the evacuation order.
An officer wearing a helmet and a protective vest was seen going into building, carrying a briefcase and other equipment around 5 p.m. Within 30 minutes, police began opening up the area and some residents cheered when the doors opened and they could go back inside.
About 20 evacuees took shelter in a sa国际传媒 Transit bus parked on Vancouver Street to keep out of the wind and rain. Others chose to stay outside.
A sa国际传媒 Transit spokesperson said the transit agency provided the bus at the request of Victoria police.
Cool Aid spokesperson Tracey Robertson told the sa国际传媒 on Monday that staff contacted police about the possible explosive — which she described as a “prop” — after it was discovered while cleaning out a past tenant’s storage area.
Mount Edwards Court is a former care home that was converted in 2017 to a 78-unit supportive-housing site for those age 50 and up.
In 2019, facility operator Cool Aid Society set up 15 additional affordable-housing units on the building’s third floor.
— With a file from Roxanne Egan-Elliott
