Vancouver police close streets near waterfront due to bomb threat; no explosives found

Vancouver police have closed streets near Columbia Street and Phil Arnold Way in downtown Vancouver after someone reported suspicious devices in the area Friday morning.

According to a statement from Vancouver police, no explosives were ultimately found.

The caller said they were walking in the area around 10:45 a.m. when a man they didn’t know walked by and pointed out three pipe-shaped objects. The man claimed they were pipe bombs and then left the area.

Streets south of Sixth Street between Columbia and Esther Short were closed as police and the Metro Explosive Disposal Unit investigated.

Buildings in the area, including Vancouver City Hall, were evacuated and CRESA issued an emergency alert to 911 within a half-mile radius of the suspected explosives site. People were asked to take shelter.

Police also ordered train traffic in the area to be closed.

Using a drone, police located the pipe-shaped items. Bomb disposal squad members were able to safely remove the items. Sniffing dogs with explosives also searched the area, the statement said.

No explosives were found. Rail and vehicle traffic in the area was resumed and the shelter in place order was lifted around 1:30 p.m.

Vancouver police are still trying to identify the man who initially claimed the items were pipe bombs.

If you have any information about the incident, please contact Vancouver Police.