Grenade found buried in Vancouver park safely detonated: police

Vancouver police had to deploy its explosives team after a woman dug up a grenade in a city park on Sunday morning.

A woman was digging in a small garden by Hinge Park, located near the seawall in Olympic Village, when she unearthed an “old grenade,” according to a Sunday statement from the Vancouver Police Department (VPD). 

Explosive technicians analyzed the grenade, which police say appeared active, and safely detonated it using a small explosive charge. 

The park, which includes a playground and an off-leash dog park, was taped off for much of Sunday morning. Around a dozen VPD officers and park rangers could be seen.

A CBC News reporter in the area described hearing a loud bang shortly before 12:30 p.m. PT, with police telling another reporter that there was a “suspicious package” in the park.

People look toward police officers and a taped off section of a park.
Onlookers gaze at the taped off Hinge Park, located along a busy route by the seawall in Vancouver’s Olympic Village. (Nav Rahi/CBC)

As of Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. PT, the area has been reopened and police say there is no longer a risk to the public. 

An investigation is ongoing, as police say it is unclear how long the grenade had been there or who put it there.

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Posted in CBC