WWII-era mortar shell removed from P.E.I. municipal building

A municipal building in Prince Edward Island is closed after a potentially hazardous item was found inside.

Police say a Second World War-era mortar shell has been removed from a municipal building on Prince Edward Island.

Kensington Police Service said the building, which also includes the police department and town hall, closed Monday night after a potentially hazardous item was found inside.

Woodleigh Drive was closed Monday evening but was later reopened “based on the advice of military explosives experts.”

Police said there was no immediate threat to the public, though residents and visitors were asked to avoid the area.

Police said in an update posted to social just before 1:30 p.m. Tuesday that the Canadian Armed Forces attended the scene and removed two items.

One was a Second World War-era mortar shell that was spent and no longer considered to be dangerous.

The other was a canister containing rocket fuel of an “unknown origin.” Police say that item was half full and still potentially hazardous.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we made the right call by evacuating and securing the building until the items could be properly assessed by military experts,” police said in the post.

“A sincere thank you to the Canadian Armed Forces for their swift response and professionalism — and to the RCMP for their support throughout the incident.”

The Town of Kensington says Monday night’s council meeting will now be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

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