Hazardous materials prompt evacuation of 46 residents in northeast Edmonton, police say
The planned removal of hazardous materials by Edmonton Police Service has prompted a voluntary evacuation of nearly 50 residents in northeast Edmonton.
Residents in the evacuation area have been asked to vacate their homes while police remove unknown chemicals and substances from a townhouse unit in a complex located in the Homesteader neighbourhood.
The townhouse complex is located on 50th Street and Hermitage Road.
Insp. Sean Anderson, the event commander for EPS, said some materials in the townhouse could be chemical precursors that can be used in the manufacturing of explosives.
Anderson said police discovered the unknown chemical substances when conducting a welfare check on a man residing in the townhouse unit on April 26.
He said the residence has been secured as a crime scene since the incident, and a risk assessment determined that there was no threat to public safety until the substances were removed from the unit.
It's unknown what the occupant's intentions were with the materials, but the chemicals could be related to harvesting precious metals from electronics, said Anderson.
He said the occupant does have a criminal history, but no charges have been laid yet in this case, and the man has been co-operating with investigators.
On Wednesday, police will begin a more thorough search of the home and removal of hazardous materials.
Anderson said the removal process may introduce some hazards, and residents who live within line of sight of the property have been asked to evacuate until the operation is complete.
It's unknown how long residents will be away from their homes, but Ward Dene Coun. Aaron Paquette said residents in the affected area should plan to be away from their homes for three days.
The evacuation is voluntary, but Paquette urged residents to comply with the EPS's directions to vacate the area.
"Please follow the instructions and suggestions to evacuate. This may be an event that reaches the worst-case scenario," said Paquette.
In a news release, EPS said that evacuated residents who do not have suitable accommodations will be provided with temporary housing and food through the City of Edmonton's Emergency Operations Centre.
Police have asked residents in the evacuation area to vacate their homes by 9 p.m. Tuesday.
EPS said they will continue to assess the public safety risk and provide further updates about when it is safe for evacuated residents to return.
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