A Toronto fire station had to be evacuated Saturday afternoon after a man brought an old artillery shell for disposal.
Toronto police, including CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive) officers, were called to the fire station on McRae Drive, west of Laird Drive and south of Eglinton Avenue East, just before 1 p.m.
Toronto Fire Services Capt. Michael Westwood told Global News the man, who lives close to the station, was digging in his backyard, found the shell and brought it right to the station.
If you find a WWII shell when digging, leave it where it is & call 911 from a safe distance. pic.twitter.com/0q5uo0SYIA
— Toronto Fire Service (@Toronto_Fire) October 1, 2016
Westwood estimated the size of the shell to be 12 inches long and three inches wide. He said the device was ultimately found to be a dud.
Toronto police Const. Allyson Douglas-Cook said there is nothing malicious about the call and the person meant well.
She said should residents find themselves in a similar situation, they should leave the item where it is.
Suspicious Pkge: MCrae Dr/ Laird Dr..Units are OS. CBRNE attending as a precaution. #1745186 .^adc
— Toronto Police OPS (@TPSOperations) October 1, 2016
“It is good to notify us or Toronto fire definitely as soon as you see it,” Douglas-Cook said.
“Don’t touch it, don’t do anything, just leave it and let the experts deal with it.”
