THUNDER BAY – City police are continuing to investigate a suspicious package discovered at the Thunder Bay Courthouse on Saturday.
The Brodie Street courthouse, along with nearby Victoriaville Mall, was evacuated around noon after a questionable package was discovered inside.
Uncertainty about the contents of the package prompted a response from Thunder Bay Fire Rescue’s hazardous materials unit, who removed the item more than three hours later.
“There is an ongoing investigation into this,” Thunder Bay Police Service executive officer Chris Adams said on Monday.
“We expect that will wrap up shortly and that’s really just to determine what the intent was by the person who sent the package.”
Adams did not provide many specifics on exactly what the package was, except to say that it contained written material.
“It was discovered by security at the courthouse and they alerted authorities,” Adams said. “The package was initially examined so we have a pretty good idea of what was on it and may have been inside.”
After the package was found police were called, who then contacted fire crews to take over the scene.
Fire chief John Hay said the package was a cardboard box with writing on it and an address label.
Early in the process the item was x-rayed and determined not to be explosive. The hazmat team then prepared for the possibility of it being chemically dangerous.
“Hazmat calls are slow, methodical calls. We make our officers take their time and go through all the steps to make sure the event goes well,” Hay said.
“I think they did a great job. It’s a difficult situation when it’s out in the public and not some area where it’s easily contained.”
The response included assistance from Superior North EMS paramedics, as well as courthouse security to help contain the scene.
The incident disrupted a significant portion of the south downtown core, with Miles Street closed between May and Archibald Streets and Brodie Street closed between Miles Street and Victoria Avenue.
Media and bystanders on scene were directed to keep their distance and stand upwind from the courthouse as a precaution.
In the past number of weeks some courthouses across the country, such as ones in Winnipeg and Brandon, have received suspicious packages through the mail.
Adams said investigators do not believe there is any connection to the one found in Thunder Bay.
