A tense afternoon at the University of Toronto Scarborough campus ended with relief after police confirmed that a suspected explosive device found on school grounds was a hoax.
The suspicious package was discovered by campus safety personnel during a routine patrol inside the Environmental Sciences and Chemistry building. Toronto police said they received the initial call at 3:46 p.m., prompting a rapid and wide-ranging emergency response.
According to Insp. Dan Pravica, the device showed visual elements commonly associated with an explosive, leading officers to treat the situation as a serious threat. A controlled detonation was carried out as a safety measure. Subsequent examination revealed the object had no explosive capability.
“It was designed to resemble a bomb,” Pravica said, adding that the appearance alone justified the cautious approach taken by authorities.
As the investigation unfolded, the Environmental Sciences and Chemistry building was evacuated, followed later by the Instructional Centre. University officials said the second evacuation was carried out strictly as a precaution.
Toronto Fire Services also responded with a Level 2 hazardous materials call, which covers potential chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive risks. Specialized hazmat units and support vehicles were deployed to the scene.
Police conducted a thorough sweep of the surrounding area and confirmed there were no additional devices and no ongoing danger to the campus or the public. No injuries were reported.
Military Trail was temporarily closed to traffic between Ellesmere Road and Morningside Avenue while emergency crews worked at the site. The road has since reopened.
Investigators are now reviewing video footage from the area and canvassing for witnesses in an effort to identify who planted the fake device. Police are asking anyone with information to contact them.
Campus activities gradually returned to normal after the all-clear was given, bringing an end to what officials described as a highly disruptive but ultimately harmless incident.
