Kelowna

Rutland Road Bomb Threat

Photo: Grant Scott - Castanet

Photo: Grant Scott - Castanet

Photo: Grant Scott - Castanet

Photo: Grant Scott - Castanet

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UPDATE 3:45 P.M. - A bomb threat called in to the Rutland branch of Interior Savings Credit Union turned out to be a hoax.

Cst. Kris Clark says after more than three hours from the initial complaint, the building was deemed safe and the road was reopened.

"Police are now focusing their investigation towards identifying the suspect," says Clark.

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Several businesses around the Interior Savings Credit Union branch on Rutland Road have been evacuated after a bomb threat was called into the bank about 11 a.m. Friday morning.

Businesses on Rutland Road from Highway 33 to Robson Road have been evacuated as well as those on Gray Road from Park to Rutland roads.

Traffic is being diverted from those streets as well.

"We're not sure of the legitimacy of that threat at this point. We're investigating as if it were a real scenario," says Cst. Kris Clark at the scene.

"We're currently sweeping the building with the bomb dog as well as doing a visual sweep."

Clark says police have consulted with the explosive disposal unit in Vancouver.

"If something is suspicious they will attend."

Clark says the threat to the credit union was vague but adds due to the potential public risk, the area has been evacuated.

He says the area won't be deemed safe until an extensive sweep is conducted by the explosive sniffing dog followed by a visual sweep.