Explosion at school in Niagara area still under investigation

Police continue to investigate a small explosion outside of a Grimsby school that prompted several evacuations and road closures and left one woman with minor injuries.

Niagara police say that around 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 29, officers were called to investigate a small explosion in a garbage bin outside the Central French Immersion School on Boulton Avenue.

Police say the staff member who was injured in the small blast while accessing the bin was treated at a local hospital and released.

Damage was limited to the garbage bin area.

The explosion prompted police to evacuate the school and a nearby daycare and also ask nearby residents to shelter in place. Roads were also closed so first responders could evaluate the scene and investigate the blast.

Police say that while the shelter-in-place order has been lifted, a small section of Brierwood Avenue remains closed.

“NRPS officers and the canine unit have conducted ground searches in the area for anything of evidentiary value. Ground searches are scheduled to continue Oct. 30, 2024,” police said in a news release.

“At this time, detectives do not have information to suggest an ongoing safety concern stemming from this incident.”

The cause of the explosion has yet to be determined.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by dialling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009341.

Also, any residents or business operators with cell phone, closed-circuit video recording, or dash cam footage of the area between Sunday, Oct. 27 and Tuesday, Oct. 29, are asked to review their footage and contact police if they see anything suspicious.