Residents forced to evacuate their homes after a suspicious package was found outside a house in Cole Harbour, N.S. were allowed back Tuesday evening.
The discovery of the package in the Halifax suburb sparked a massive response from authorities, including searches of two homes in the area and one outside the city.
After police secured the package outside the home on Lakeridge Crescent, the investigation spread to a home around the corner on Parkedge Crescent, and then to another property on the outskirts of the municipality, on Dyke Road in Grand Desert, N.S.
Police would not confirm what they were looking for at the second and third properties.
It all began with a call to police on Monday night.
“It was a call from a concerned citizen, that they found a package that they believed to be suspicious,” said Cpl. Greg Church, spokesperson for the Halifax District RCMP.
Church said the package was located around 9:30 p.m. Monday.
Police contained the scene until the RCMP explosives disposal unit and Halifax Regional Fire’s hazmat crew arrived Tuesday morning.
Crews removed the package without incident, determining it contained “hazardous chemicals”, but not explosives, police say.
Residents of homes within 100 metres of the scene were told to evacuate by officers going door-to-door Tuesday morning.
“I got some overnight stuff,” said evacuee Ken Ford.
“They said to be prepared to be away overnight, so (I took some) toiletries and the dog.”
Nova Scotia RCMP announced shortly after 5 p.m. on Tuesday the evacuation order had been lifted, allowing residents on Parkedge Crescent, Lakeridge Crescent and Rockhaven Court to go home.
RCMP remain at the home in Grand Desert.
The RCMP explosive disposal unit is expected to search the property Tuesday evening.
The chemicals in package found on Lakeridge Crescent will undergo testing to determine what they are, police said.
With files from The Canadian Press and CTV Atlantic’s Marie Adsett
