Toronto police evacuated a downtown park Wednesday afternoon after the discovery of what appeared to be a grenade, triggering an urgent response from the bomb squad and widespread concern among local residents.
At approximately 2:30 p.m., officers responded to calls about a suspicious object found in a public green space near Adelaide Street East and Parliament Street. The device, described by witnesses as “grenade-like,” prompted immediate action from authorities who cordoned off the area and diverted traffic.
“The safety protocol was initiated within minutes,” said Constable David Hopkins, who was among the first responders at the scene. “When potential explosives are involved, we take no chances with public safety.”
The Toronto Police Service’s Emergency Disposal Unit arrived shortly after the initial assessment, deploying specialized equipment to examine the object. Nearby buildings were evacuated as a precautionary measure while technicians worked to determine if the device posed an active threat.
Roads surrounding the park remained closed for nearly three hours, causing significant traffic disruptions during the afternoon rush. Adelaide Street East was blocked between Parliament and Berkeley streets, while several connecting thoroughfares experienced heavy congestion as commuters sought alternative routes.
Local business owner Maria Santino described the scene: “I was serving customers when officers came in and told us we needed to leave immediately. Everyone was calm but concerned—you don’t expect something like this in the middle of a weekday.”
By early evening, the emergency response team had safely removed the object and determined it was an inert training device with no explosive capability. While visually similar to a live grenade, the item posed no actual danger to the public.
“These training replicas can be virtually indistinguishable from actual explosives to untrained eyes,” explained former military explosives expert James Turner, who was not involved in the operation. “The response we saw today reflects the appropriate level of caution.”
Police have launched an investigation into how the device ended up in the public park. Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage from surrounding buildings and have asked anyone with information to contact Toronto Police Service.
This incident follows several recent security alerts in public spaces across major Canadian cities, highlighting the continued vigilance of emergency services. CO24 Breaking News will continue monitoring developments as the investigation proceeds.
The park reopened to the public by 6 p.m., with regular traffic patterns resuming shortly thereafter. City officials commended the swift response of emergency personnel and the cooperation of citizens during the disruption.
As Toronto prepares for summer’s busier park season, this incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing security challenges facing urban public spaces and the critical importance of reporting suspicious objects to authorities immediately.
