Police and fire officials are investigating after explosive materials were found inside a “suspicious package” at a business here on Thursday morning.
On Aug. 31 at about 11:30am Wellington County OPP and Wellington North Fire Services responded to call to a vacant lot behind DDR Americas Inc. on Durham Street West. in Mount Forest.
“Workers discovered a wooden crate that had suspicious contents in it that could not be identified as non-hazardous,” police stated in a press release.
Wellington North Fire Chief Dave Guilbault said the crate contained three propane cylinders and six bags of fertilizer.
“There was the potential for a fire and explosion,” he stated in a press release.
Propane and fertilizer are both bomb-making materials, but a press release from the OPP stated there is “nothing” to indicate the placement of the crate “was meant to be malicious.”
Foster Street was temporarily closed, two businesses were evacuated and Arthur firefighters and paramedics were put on standby as a precaution.
At about 12:15pm officials called the Centre Wellington Fire and Rescue hazmat unit for assistance.
“Fortress Hazardous Material Unit from Guelph responded and safely removed the explosive material,” stated Guilbault.
“There were no injuries to members of the public or emergency responders.”
The OPP and Wellington North Fire Services are investigating the incident.
Anyone with information can call 1-888-310-1122.
