Remainder of hazardous materials found in southwest Calgary to be moved: police

The bomb squad has been called in for suspicious packages in two different locations. They don't believe they're connected.

Following an afternoon of controlled detonations and substance testing, police say they’re going to transport the rest of the hazardous materials found in Calgary’s Manchester industrial area.

Once at the new location, the remainder of the hazardous materials will be destroyed.

“Throughout the afternoon our Tactical Unit officers conducted multiple controlled detonations of the hazardous materials, now believed to include picric acid,” police said in a release on Wednesday evening.

“Along with the Calgary Fire Department, our Tactical Unit has conducted extensive testing of the substances. Following further analysis and the establishment of a safe transport method, the remaining hazardous materials will be relocated to expedite the detonation process and minimize impact to the public.

“Safety of the public and emergency service personnel remains our top priority.”

An area just off Macleod Trail by 47 Avenue S.W. was blocked off by police on Tuesday.

The investigation began when a delivery intended for a business raised red flags for employees.

According to police, a local moving company was hired to dispose of several substances, but the chemicals were mislabelled and sat in a package for 10 days.

They called 911 around noon.

Investigators determined the hazardous materials included picric acid, which is highly volatile when dried.

Calgary police, along with its tactical and bomb squad techs, and the Calgary Fire Department and its hazardous materials disposal unit attended.

A 200-metre radius was blocked off, and the area was evacuated.

Crews spent the day trying to decipher what was in the containers that were left outside—and how best to safely dispose of them.

Late Tuesday night, it was announced the Emergency Operations Centre had been activated.

Wednesday saw a significant response for a second straight day.

Police set up a large evacuation zone and warned people to avoid the area before conducting controlled detonations throughout the afternoon.

A large mound of dirt, wet sandbags and a truck acted as a barrier to the blasts.

Police also issued a no-drone zone for the area.

That remains in place for the time being, as does the evacuation zone.

Details about where the hazardous materials are going will not be disclosed at this time.