Bomb unit finds dynamite in metal box in southwest Calgary neighbourhood

A Second World War mortar round was discovered Saturday in Weaselhead Park in southwest Calgary. Late Saturday afternoon, police announced the device was inert and just a casing. It has been removed from the area. (Anonymous)

Someone cleaning a southwest Calgary home Saturday afternoon found a metal box containing dynamite, prompting an evacuation.

At 12:10 p.m. police announced they were evacuating the 1000 block of Woodview Crescent S.W. as a precautionary measure until the box could be contained by its bomb unit.

It took four-and-a-half hours for police to identify the explosive element as dynamite.

Because of other complexities, the evacuation order would remain in place until 7 p.m., police said.

Woodview Crescent S.W. remained closed to traffic as of 5 p.m.

Weaselhead Park incident

Police also issued a statement at 11:30 a.m. about a second possible explosive device: a Second World War explosive device they say was found by someone using a metal detector in Weaselhead Flats Natural Environment Park.

The area was cordoned off until the bomb unit could safely contain the device.

Around 4:30 p.m., police announced the device was inert and just a casing.

It was removed from the area.

The park has since reopened.