Okanagan Mounties say they're investigating after finding an improvised grenade near a Dairy Queen in Armstrong.
In a news release, the RCMP said they were alerted to the grenade around 5 p.m. in the 3100 block of Smith Drive. When officers arrived on scene, they found a "small device" that looked like a hand grendate, placed atop a cement barrier.
Front line officers arrived on scene around 9 p.m. Tuesday evening, clearing the area near the restaurant before the RCMP's explosive disposal unit arrived around 10 a.m. Wednesday morning.
“As a precaution the area was immediately evacuated and the streets closed for the safety of the public, until we could determine what it was we were dealing with," said Const. Kelly Brett of the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP.
"Out of an abundance of caution, the scene was secured overnight until the device could be examined by specifically trained officers," she added.
Meanwhile, Smith Drive was closed until Wednesday morning while the explosive disposal unit disabled the grenade.
The RCMP said they do not yet know when nor why the explosive was left near the Dairy Queen, but said there was no risk to public safety.
