The RCMP's explosives disposal unit (EDU) had to be called in after an explosion Tuesday evening in a house in Coquitlam that sent a man to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Mounties say they were called to a home in the 1400-block of Ross Avenue, near Schoolhouse Street, when neighbours reported an explosion around 7:20 p.m.
Police said they found a man had been injured by an explosive device that had detonated. When officers found more explosives on the property, they called in the explosives disposal unit.
RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Mike McLaughlin said the victim has since been released from hospital and has no police history nor is there a national security issue. He said the RCMP do have an idea what happened but are still trying to determine the exact circumstances that led to the detonation of the homemade explosive, and until the investigation is completed no details will be released.
McLaughlin said it was a device made out of readily available components, and not a commercial or military explosive.
"Why it was there and why it was made is still to be determined," said McLaughlin, who added that investigators aren't jumping to conclusions about who made the device.
McLaughlin said there are numerous potential charges with a wide range of penalties under the Explosives Act or the Criminal Code that can be applied to possession or use of an explosive but no determination has been made whether any charges will be laid.
A neighbour who would not give her name said the injured man has been a Coquitlam firefighter for more than 20 years and his wife is a nurse.
CTV News reported property records show the registered owner of the home is Craig Banks. An employee with that name is listed in the city of Coquitlam's annual statement of financial information as captain of operations. A Coquitlam firefighter with that name was awarded a Governor General's fire services exemplary service medal in May 2017.
Coquitlam Fire Chief Jim Ogloff wouldn't comment on whether the man is a Coquitlam firefighter because of the active police investigation.
"What I'm doing is keeping in touch with whatever [information the RCMP] are releasing," said Ogloff.
The neighbour said the original explosion "was like being beside the nine o'clock gun [in Stanley Park]" while another nearby resident, who only gave his first name, Mike, said the explosion sounded like two cars colliding.
Several blocks were taped off and some residents evacuated during the investigation. TransLink was forced to detour its 156 Lougheed and 156 Braid buses. The neighbour said her family was not allowed to return to their home until 1 a.m. Like Mike, she said there were at least three explosions after the EDU arrived.
"We did do a couple of controlled detonations," said McLaughlin, who wouldn't give an exact number except to say it was "more than one."
McLaughlin said the detonations were out of caution, adding, "We understand the concern in the neighbourhood."
McLaughlin said forensic specialists examined the home looking for any other components or any physical evidence or fingerprints that may indicate they were part of some potential criminal activity.
• Anyone who saw or heard anything that might help determine what happened should call the detachment's non-emergency line at 604-945-1550 and ask for the investigative support team.
