CALGARY — People in Calgary can expect to hear a consistent round of loud bangs for at least another day as police try to disarm an explosive substance in a south-end industrial neighbourhood.
Police say a moving company had been tasked with disposing of several substances, including a package of picric acid.
But that package was mislabelled and had been sitting for about 10 days when it was discovered early Tuesday afternoon. Police were notified later in the day.
“It is going to take some time to safely deal with these substances," Calgary police deputy chief Cliff O'Brien told a news conference Wednesday.
Calgary police's bomb disposal unit and tactical team began controlled detonations Wednesday, and police say explosions could continue for 24 hours or longer.
O'Brien said detonations are to be suspended late Wednesday night, but will resume Thursday morning.
He wouldn't commit to a set time as to when explosions would stop, saying that would only happen once the substance is destroyed.
He said the explosions are happening in the neighbourhood where the substance was discovered because it would be too dangerous to take it to a different location.
However, late Wednesday, the city issued an update. It said the Tactical Unit and the Fire Department have established a safe transportation method. The remaining picric acid will now be relocated to a safer site for further detonations.
Despite the update, the city states that the evacuation zone remains in effect, and residents are advised to stay away from the area while operations continue.
The neighbourhood, historically a manufacturing and warehousing hub south of downtown, sits east of one of the city's main road arteries and west of the Canadian Pacific Railway line.
O'Brien said picric acid, a substance commonly used in labs, is not dangerous when handled correctly, but becomes highly explosive when left in the conditions in which it was discovered.
It also becomes sensitive to movement in that state, he said.
"There's lots of legit reasons for it and if it's packaged properly, it is safe to transport," he said.
A small number of businesses and residences in the vicinity of the substance have been shuttered until police have completed their detonations.
There also is a no-fly zone above the region for aircraft and drones below a certain elevation.
Investigators are looking into whether criminal activity is involved.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 27, 2025.
Matthew Scace, The Canadian Press
