NANAIMO — What’s believed to be an e-bike battery exploding caused a partial highway shutdown and a considerable response from Mounties.
Reports of an explosion came from the 900 block of Terminal Ave., just south of St. George St., just after 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 17, after a loud bang was heard and a small fire sparked.
Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien said several officers attended immediately.
“They found a significant amount of debris and metal in a certain area. They were unsure what it was, so out of an abundance of caution, they decided to close the highway (Terminal Ave.). We brought in extra crews, the fire crews were there as well. Forensic investigators attended and we also consulted with the explosive disposal unit.”
Traffic was detoured around the scene Sunday morning. (Image Credit: Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Mounties ultimately determined the explosion to have come from an e-bike battery in a wooded area next to a Terminal Ave. motel.
O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW there was “not much left” and it’s unclear whether the battery was on a bike at the time.
“There’s no reports of injuries or secondary damage. There are no charges resulting from this, there’s nobody identified as being associated with this debris.
Both vehicular and pedestrian access were cut off on Terminal Ave. between St. George St. and just north of Cypress St., with detours put in place around the scene.
The closure was lifted around 10 a.m.
O’Brien said the police investigation is concluded and the file is closed.
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