Vancouver police close streets near waterfront due to a bomb threat; no explosive devices found

Vancouver police closed streets near Columbia Street and Phil Arnold Way in downtown Vancouver after a 911 caller reported suspicious devices in the area Friday morning.

Ultimately, no explosive devices were found, according to a Vancouver police statement.

The caller said they were walking in the area about 10:45 a.m. when a man they didn’t know passed by and pointed out three pipe-shaped items. The man claimed they were pipe bombs and then left the area, police said.

Roads south of Sixth Street between Columbia and Esther Short were closed while police and the Metro Explosive Disposal Unit investigated.

Buildings in the area were evacuated, and Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency initiated a reverse 911 call for a half-mile radius around the site of the suspicious devices instructing people to shelter in place.

The city continued operating without impact during the remain-in-place order, said Laura Shepard, spokeswoman for the city of Vancouver.

“The city’s emergency management team was in the CRESA emergency operations center for the duration, allowing us to keep city leadership and staff updated about the situation. There was some anxiousness at receiving a remain-in-place order, but employees reacted professionally to the situation,” Shepard said in an email to The Columbian.

Police ordered rail traffic in the area closed, as well.

Using a drone, police located the pipe-shaped items. Members of the bomb disposal unit were able to safely dispose of the items. Explosive detection dogs also searched the area, according to the statement. No explosives were found.

Rail and car traffic in the area were able to resume, and the shelter in place order was lifted about 1:30 p.m.

Vancouver police are continuing to try to identify the man who initially claimed the items were pipe bombs.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact the Vancouver Police Department.