All clear given after ‘suspicious packages’ prompt evacuations, closures on Vancouver Waterfront

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Authorities say the scene of three suspicious packages reported on the Vancouver Waterfront late Friday morning, prompting local road closures and business evacuations, has been cleared.

At around 10:45 a.m., Vancouver Police say a caller reported walking in the area of Phil Arnold Way and Columbia Street when a man passing by pointed out three “pipe-shaped” items, saying they were pipe bombs. The man then left the area.

This prompted police to close multiple streets including Esther Street, Phil Arnold Way and Columbia to 5th, as well as rail traffic in the area.

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Any residents or businesses within a half-mile radius of the area were also told to shelter in place.

Police found the pipe-shaped items and members of the Metro Explosive Disposal Unit (MEDU) safely disposed of them, authorities say. No other explosives were found.

By the early afternoon, police reopened streets and rail traffic. The shelter in place was also lifted.

Currently, Vancouver police are working to identify and find the man who first pointed out the objects as pipe bombs.

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