Billy Bishop Airport Has Reopened After Police Detonated A 'Suspicious Package'
Police located two people of interest but no charges were laid.
Billy Bishop Airport.
Billy Bishop Airport reopened this morning after it was evacuated on Saturday when a suspicious package was found and detonated by police.
Toronto Police Service (TPS) was called to the airport just before 4 p.m. on October 22 for reports of a package that caused several evacuations and road closures, according to a press release.
Billy Bishop Airport said the package was found on a bike by the island-side ferry terminal in a tweet posted at 6:27 p.m. on October 22.
\u201cAt approximately 4pm today a device was discovered on a bike parked near the island-side ferry terminal. Toronto Police Services were called and the bicycle is in the process of being removed. The ferry terminal and tunnel have been closed out of an abundance of caution.\u201d— Billy Bishop Airport (@Billy Bishop Airport) 1666477632
Toronto Police Emergency Disposal Unit arrived on the scene, and tests on the package led them to believe it could be an explosive device. The airport and people in the nearby area were evacuated.
Several roads, including "Lake Shore from Strachan to Dan Leckie, Bathurst from Bruyeres Mews to the Lake, Queens Quay from Dan Leckie to Stadium," were also closed down, according to TPS.
\u201cPOLICE INVESTIGATION: UPDATE\nBilly Bishop Airport Ferry Terminal\n- Everyone is asked to stay out of the area\nROAD CLOSURES: Lake Shore from Strachan to Dan Leckie, Bathurst from Bruyeres Mews to the Lake, Queens Quay from Dan Leckie to Stadium @TTCnotices\n^lb\u201d— Toronto Police Operations (@Toronto Police Operations) 1666469732
Flights in and out of the airport were suspended, and two Air Canada flights were redirected to Hamilton after the runway closed, as stated in several tweets from Billy Bishop Airport.
The device was removed by TPS, according to a tweet the airport posted at 6:45 p.m.
\u201cOct 22: Flights currently suspended in/out of @BBishopAirport due to Toronto Police Services investigation. Passengers waiting in lounges are being evacuated at present. Device found near island-ferry terminal has been removed by TPS. Tunnel/ferry remain closed at this time.\u201d— Billy Bishop Airport (@Billy Bishop Airport) 1666478723
Two condo buildings at 34 Little Norway and 681 Queens Quay were also fully evacuated, and a third condo at 650 Queens Quay was partially evacuated, according to a tweet from TPS.
\u201cPOLICE INVESTIGATION: UPDATE\nBilly Bishop Airport Ferry Terminal\n- Two persons of interest are in custody\n- We are dealing with a potential explosive device\n- 34 Little Norway, 681 Queens Quay have been evacuated\n- Partial evacuation of 650 Queen Quay\n^lb\u201d— Toronto Police Operations (@Toronto Police Operations) 1666469732
TPS warned residents they would hear a "loud bang" before detonating the package in a controlled explosion.
Following the detonation, police said the area was safe, residents could return home, and roads were reopened.
TPS said they are confident the incident was isolated and that there isn't an additional risk to public safety.
Two people of interest were detained, but they were released, and no charges were laid after an "extensive investigation."
Flights and regular operations at Billy Bishop reopened this morning, the airport announced in a tweet.
\u201cOctober 23: Billy Bishop Airport is open and has returned to normal operations. Some flights might have been impacted by yesterday's runway closure. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines.\u201d— Billy Bishop Airport (@Billy Bishop Airport) 1666535154
However, passengers are being advised to check their airline because yesterday's runway closure may have impacted some flights.