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UPDATE: Safeway, 2nd Avenue businesses resume operations

Businesses evacuated after yesterday's bomb threat at Safeway returned to normal operations this morning.
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Prince Rupert RCMP and Prince Rupert Fire Rescue Department blocked off access to a portion of Second Avenue West and First Avenue West on Wednesday afternoon.

UPDATE:

Businesses evacuated after yesterday's bomb threat at Prince Rupert's Safeway returned to normal operations this morning.

After an extensive search by a Police Service Dog, the business was deemed to be safe of any "suspicious item" at 1:30 a.m. last night.

"Police would like to thank the community of Prince Rupert for their patience and understanding in this matter.  The investigation is still underway way, however police believe that there is no risk to the public as they proceed forward," reads a statement put out by Prince Rupert RCMP this morning.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the Prince Rupert RCMP Detachment at 250-627-0700 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

 

UPDATE:

As of 10 p.m. on Wednesday night, Prince Rupert RCMP still had Prince Rupert's Safeway and the immediate surrounding area cordoned off.

In a media release put out in the late afternoon, RCMP stated the detachment had received a complaint regarding a suspicious telephone call at Safeway. Upon arrival the complainant advised RCMP they received a call from an unknown person with regards to a "suspicious item being inside the building".

To ensure public safety, RCMP evacuated Safeway and other nearby businesses in the early afternoon, with a police dog being brought in to conduct a search of the building.

"At this stage, this is an unfolding investigation," Const. Matt Ericson, spokesperson of the Prince Rupert RCMP, said in the statement.

The release states "as information becomes available police may be in a better position to provide an update. At this time we are asking the public to refrain from going to the immediate area".

 

UPDATE:

While RCMP will not yet confirm, multiple Prince Rupert Safeway staff sources have indicated the store was evacuated due to a bomb threat.

Const. Matt Ericson said it was a rapidly unfolding event and asked residents to avoid the downtown core if possible.

Look for more on this story as it becomes available.

Original

Access to the 100 block of Second Avenue West and First Avenue West has been blocked off for an unspecified reason this afternoon.

Prince Rupert RCMP and the Prince Rupert Fire Rescue Department are currently on scene, but declined to comment on a cause as an investigation is ongoing.

People in Safeway, the BC Liquor Store and 711 have been evacuated.

Look for more information on this situation as it becomes available.