The RCMP’s explosive disposal unit was called to a Heritage Lakes home Thursday night and found an incendiary device on the homeowner’s back deck.
Police are not releasing details about the device, but Cpl. Laurel Kading said the explosive disposal unit was called in because it had the potential to do serious damage.
While not a bomb, she said the device could have started a fire. It had burnt edges indicating that it was on fire at one point and it is unclear why it went out.
“At some point in time it must have been burning, but obviously not much,” she said. “It did not do what I am sure the person intended it to do.”
The homeowner heard a thump on his back deck sometime between 2:30 and 3 p.m. Thursday. The homeowner initially ignored the sound as it coincided with a brief rainstorm, but several hours later noticed the package and now thinks it could be related. Kading said that the rain might have prevented the device from reaching its intended potential.
She said police can find no reason why this homeowner would have been targeted, but also stressed the investigation is in its early stages.
“We don’t find any connections at this time,” she said. “We are not ruling anything out at this point.”
In another event, police and fire crews responded on July 23 around 2 a.m. to a fire on the corner of Poirier Avenue and Pineview Drive at a bus stop. The fire damaged the stop, a newspaper box and several nearby trees, but fire crews quickly contained it.
Kading said police haven’t found any direct connection between the incendiary device and the bus shelter fire, but they are concerning.
“Someone appears to be interested in burning things.”
The police are asking for anyone who may have seen something suspicious around either location to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222- 8477 or the St. Albert RCMP at 780-458-7700.
Kading said police are looking for witnesses, but are also looking for anyone who might seem overly interested in fire.
“If they notice anyone, a friend or a neighbour that seems to have a hobby of making strange items,” she said.
She said the person might not realize the full extent of the danger they are creating.
