Kelowna courthouse evacuated due to bomb threat

UPDATE: 11:45 a.m.

Kelowna's courthouse on Water Street was evacuated Wednesday morning just after 9:30 a.m. due to a bomb threat.

Police swarmed the building and cordoned off the area with police tape.

Const. Mike Della-Paolera tells Castanet the threats were made over the phone to the Kelowna RCMP detachment.

"We are still assessing the validity of the threat, and we are calling in extra resources to help us search the building to make sure it's safe," he said, prior to the building being given the all-clear.

Police did not describe it as a bomb threat, however, sheriffs at the scene told those forced from the building that it was one.

Della-Paolera says 20 officers responded to the courthouse for the call.

Just after 11 a.m., police confirmed the threat was over.

The courthouse and area are now open to the public.

Photo: Wayne Moore

Police outside Kelowna's evacuated courthouse.

UPDATE 11 a.m.

The Kelowna RCMP have given the all clear at the Kelowna courthouse.

Court proceedings are getting back underway and things are operating as normal.

ORIGINAL: 9:50 a.m.

Kelowna’s downtown courthouse has been evacuated.

Police swarmed the building shortly before 9:40 a.m., closing Water Street between Doyle and Cawston avenues.

Court proceedings were interrupted by sheriffs this morning who informed all the courtrooms that people had to evacuate the building.

Sheriffs have told some of the people forced from the building that they are investigating a bomb threat.

In a brief statement, RCMP said they have reports of an "unknown threat" that they are currently investigating.

Photo: Wayne Moore

People on the front lawn of Kelowna's courthouse after being evacuated.