[AOE6q4bu]

Bomb defused at Vancouver-area mall

The Canadian Press
August 12, 2009

VANCOUVER — An explosive device found in the parking lot of B.C.'s largest mall has been defused, according to police.

Officers from the RCMP’s explosives disposal unit were called to the mall after the bomb was discovered behind the Bread Garden restaurant, in a parkade.

RCMP Corporal Alexandra Mulvihill said the bomb was taken by a robot to a nearby green space, and detonated inside a small hole. She said it was a functioning “active” bomb.

The restaurant was evacuated, and police went door knocking at a nearby condo to urge residents to stay off their balconies pending the detonation. Bread Garden had reopened for business Tuesday night after the bomb was set off. A staff member said police told them little about the process.

“I really don’t know. We were outside and the police really won’t tell us anything,” the woman said.

Cpl. Mulvihill said there were no indications that either the restaurant or a nearby Zellers had been targeted. SkyTrain service at the mall’s station was interrupted during the rush hour.

Meanwhile, a second bomb in four days has exploded along a natural gas pipeline in northern B.C.

The bomb exploded south of Dawson Creek at about 2 a.m. Saturday and is the sixth pipeline bombing since October 2008.

RCMP said they were alerted by a resident in the area who heard a loud bang.

According to EnCana, the company that owns the pipeline, the blast caused a gas leak and drop in pipeline pressure.

Emergency safety valves were activated to isolate the damaged portion of the pipe.

"There was no harm to workers, the public or the environment," the company said via an RCMP statement. The natural gas that flows through most of the pipes in the area contains deadly hydrogen sulphide.

EnCana said air quality samples taken 2.5 kilometres from the explosion showed no environmental or health risks.

An RCMP post-blast forensic examination team, and police dog squad are investigating.

Earlier reports of the bombings have speculated the blasts are part of an "eco-terrorism" plot but police have not confirmed a motive.

According to RCMP, since the bombings increased in frequency, two extra officers have been deployed to the Dawson Creek detachment to expand rural patrols.

[Podborodok]

Walau so dangerous in Canada