[UPDATED] Explosion at Parkade: Police, fire service called in

ANDREW GIOANNETTI and SHANE SUPERVILLE

POLICE were kept busy up to late Tuesday afternoon as they continued investigations after a suspected bomb was found at the Government Plaza Parkade.

The Parkade is between Richmond and Edward Streets, Port of Spain.

No injuries or damage were reported.

Police said security guards at the parking complex received a report at around 8 am from a worker of the Urban Development Corporation (Udecott) that smoke was coming from the top of the building after an explosion was heard.

They found the smoke was still coming from a small square object near the doors of an elevator in the southwestern part of the building.

The guards called the fire service which responded three hours later. The fire officers called the police Explosive Detection and Disposal Unit, whose officers went to the scene and remained there up until late Tuesday afternoon.

Police said the object was powered by four batteries and wires running across its surface.

During a search of the building, police said they found a second object in the building. This second device did not explode.

A number of government offices and other businesses within 300 metres of the parkade, including the Office of the Attorney General and the Ministry of Education, were evacuated and the streets closed to traffic.

When Newsday arrived, police were directing pedestrians away from the area. Scores of workers from nearby offices were also gathering at their respective muster points.

Traffic around Queen Street and Independence Square was rerouted to surrounding streets for hours before it was returned to normal.

Northern Division police officer and bomb technician John Harper spoke briefly with the media.

"We have requested bomb technicians from the police, together with the canines, as they have the ability to do such searches. In terms of the explosion, we are not too sure what caused it, but precautionary measures are being taken. Hence the reason (for the) bomb squad and the dogs used to detect (bombs). The entire block has been evacuated."

Investigators from the Central Police Station were watching security footage from inside the parkade to find out who put the devices in the building, and when.

Up until press time police could not confirm whether they contained any explosive material.

A press release from the police confirmed the explosion and said while Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith commended the protective services for their efforts, he also noted the three-hour time lag between the time the explosion was heard, and the time the parkade employees called emergency personnel.

He told the public that in such instances, people should be cautious and alert the authorities immediately.

Newsday spoke to National Security Minister Stuart Young, who preferred not to comment on the devices until the police finished their investigation. But he warned that "mischief-makers" would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Explosions downtown in 2005

Between July and October 2005, five bombs exploded in downtown Port of Spain.

In July, the first explosion injured 14 people near Frederick Street.

The last device, on October 27, was reported as being "low intensity." It was placed in a plastic bottle on Henry Street. This explosion did not result in any injuries.

No one was ever held in relation to these explosions.

This story was originally published with the title "No injuries reported in Parkade explosion" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

POLICE and fire officers are at the Parkade on the corner of Queen and Edward Streets, Port of Spain, after reports of a loud explosion on the 12th floor at around 11.05 am.

No injuries or structural damage have yet been reported. The police bomb squad has been called in. Officers are still trying to find the cause of the explosion.

A number of government offices and other businesses within 300 meters of the parkade, including the office of the Office of the Attorney General and the Ministry of Education, have been evacuated and the streets closed to traffic.

Police said around 8 am today, workers reported seeing smoke coming from a small box and called the fire service.

Members of the fire service arrived three hours later and called bomb technicians from the police service.

When Newsday arrived at the scene, police were seen directing pedestrians away from the area.
Scores of workers from nearby offices were also seen convening at their respective muster points.

Northern division officer and bomb technician John Harper spoke briefly with the media.
"We have requested bomb technicians from the police, together with the canines, as they have the ability to do such searches," Harper said.

"In terms of the explosion, we are not too sure what caused it but precautionary measures are being taken, hence the reason bomb squad and the dogs used to detect (bombs).
"The entire block has been evacuated."
Newsday will post updates on the incident as further information becomes available.