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Vernon  

Two explosive reports

UPDATED: 9:05 a.m.

Vernon RCMP were kept busy for 24 hours, right into Tuesday morning, after concerned citizens called in reports of possible explosives, one at Marshall Field and the other in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park.

"At 9 p.m., a concerned citizen called in about a possible pipe bomb in the back parking lot at Marshall Field, on the concrete barricades," said Sgt. Colby Attlesey, RCMP spokesperson. "We, as per policy, cordoned off the area and called in the explosives disposal unit which arrived at three or four in the morning."

The Vancouver unit was concerned enough with what they saw during an examination that they blew it up, said Attlesey. 

The blast could be heard blocks away, with residents wondering if shots had been fired in the area.

Attlesey said the evidence was taken away by the unit for further examination for chemicals used in a pipe bomb or to determine if it was a fake.

Meanwhile, officers were busy at another location by Sidewinder bike trail near Cosens Bay in the park.

The area was cordoned off Monday around 9 a.m. when a concerned citizen reported spotting the tail end of a mortar.

This time a team from the Canadian Armed Forces was called in to examine the scene.

"All that was hanging out were the tail fins," said Attlesey. "After they examined it, it was determined it was just the back end and there were no explosives."

That scene was wrapped up about 8 a.m. this morning, he said.


Residents of Okanagan Landing around Marshall Field are reporting a large police presence there earlier Tuesday morning.

"A very loud noise woke me up so I looked out the window to see flashing police lights in the parking lot down there," said Heather Taylor on social media.

Others report a large bang and seeing a number of police cars with flashing lights.

The police are reported to have departed about 6 a.m.

The RCMP have been contacted for comment.

Castanet will update when more details become available.


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