Winnipeg police bomb unit destroy suspicious package on St. Anne's Road

The Winnipeg police bomb unitsprayed and shot a suspicious packageon St. Anne's Road on Wednesday afternoon after evacuating several businesses and a home in the area.

A loud bang was heard in the area, but police said that was officers shooting at the package to disarm a potential explosive. It turns out the package did not contain any explosives, and the noise that was heard was just officers destroying the package.

Officers blocked off about four blocks at St. Anne's Road and Fermor Avenue around 3 p.m.to investigate reports of a suspicious package. Witnesses in the area said the package was outside, near a truck.

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About 20 emergency vehicles could be seen in the area, and people were told to stay away from a strip mall near St. Anne's Road and Bank Avenue. The bomb unit's robot could be seen wheeling toward a truck at the scene.

Officers toldCBCvideographerSaraCalnek everyone had to stay behind a building, and if they could see the strip mall, they were in danger.

Officers also said they were planning a "controlled water spray" at the package.

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Several businesses in the area were evacuated, including a Dairy Queen, McDonald's and Piston Ring across the street from the strip mall.

"I didn't expect it to be here and to end up being over across the street as well," said Ryan Sokoloski, who works at the Piston Ring that was evacuated. "It makes me wonder, did they find something and is that now why we're getting the evacuation?"

By about 6 p.m., officers were clearing the area.