Emergency crews have cordoned off a section of the Manchester Industrial area as they work to dispose of potentially explosive materials that were found there.
Police were called to the 4700 block of First Street S.W., just east of Macleod Trail, for reports of a suspicious package delivered to a business at about noon on Tuesday.
Police and fire officials concluded that the materials were too unstable to move, the city said in a release.
“Due to the elevated risk of hazards associated with moving the materials, it has been decided that the Tactical Unit will move forward with procedures to render the materials safe through a series of controlled detonations on site,” the release said.
Package believed to contain picric acid
Calgary Police Service Deputy Chief Cliff O’Brien told reporters the package was believed to have contained picric acid.
Described by Transport Canada as “one of the most dangerous chemicals being used today in chemistry labs,” picric acid is used to make yellow dye, as well as explosives. When dry, the substance is considered highly volatile, with heat or sudden impacts potentially causing it to spontaneously explode.
O’Brien said a local moving company had been hired to dispose of the package.
“It is believed the [substances] were mislabelled prior to the transport, to the moving company,” O’Brien said. “As a result of this mislabelling, the substances sat for approximately 10 days.”
He said the moving company opened the mislabelled pallet on Tuesday, after which authorities determined the package contained picric acid.
O’Brien said a criminal investigation is underway.
WATCH | Controlled demolition of picric acid continues:
Second loud explosion heard while reporter is recording his story
Reporter Dan McGarvey was recording part of his story on the scene when a second explosion rang out.
Early in the afternoon, crews began the detonations in a pile of sand protected by a large dump truck parked on 46th Avenue S.W.
The city said the public should avoid the area due to loud bangs, fire and bursts of smoke expected as part of the detonations.
O’Brien said the detonations will not lead to the release of toxic substances.
He said Wednesday’s disposal operation will pause at 10 p.m. if not completed, and is expected to resume the following day if necessary.
The city has opened its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to manage the situation.
Officials said there could be disruptions to traffic as well as bus and LRT service in the area.
Officials have also restricted the airspace above the incident, police said on X, “for an area of two nautical miles and 2000-feet vertical restriction from the centre of 4630 Macleod Trail. This includes a flight restriction for all RPAS, drones and unmanned aircraft.”
❌ No Drone Zone ❌
As part of our response to the ongoing hazardous materials incident in the Manchester Industrial area, a NOTAM has been issued for an area of two nautical miles & 2000ft vertical restriction from the centre of 4630 Macleod Trail. This includes a flight… https://t.co/aja3EM4s47