Fatal car blast in Kitchener linked to an explosive, Waterloo Regional police say

#Kitchener, #Ontario; #carExplosion; #ExplosiveDevide; #WaterlooRegionalPoliceService

Kitchener (Ontario), Aug 15 (Canadian-Media): A car explosion in front of the Waterloo Region Courthouse on Duke Street in downtown Kitchener Friday morning caused the death of one person, media reports said.

Car Explosion. Image credit: Pinterest

The Waterloo Regional Police Service said Friday afternoon that the explosion appeared to be the result of a suspected explosive device.

Waterloo Regional Police. Image credit: Twitter Handle

UPDATE: the explosion appears to be the result of a suspected improvised explosive device. The WRPS Explosive Disposal Unit continues to work to ensure the safety of the scene and area residents. Police have evacuated the immediate area. https://t.co/m7HNNbLroX

— Waterloo Regional Police (@WRPSToday) August 14, 2020

Police are asking people to avoid the area of Frederick Street and Duke Street in downtown Kitchener as they investigate and said,

​ "As a precaution, the WRPS explosive disposal unit is being deployed to assist with the investigation," police said in a tweet at noon. Paramedics were on scene, as was the Peel Regional Police explosives disposal unit.​

UPDATE: One individual has been pronounced deceased in connection to this explosion. The investigation remains ongoing. The surrounding area will be closed for a significant amount of time. Please avoid the area. Anyone with information is asked to call police or @WaterlooCrime. https://t.co/R5HgtiEWsL

— Waterloo Regional Police (@WRPSToday) August 14, 2020

A search for two residences connected to the person who was inside the vehicle, seen here after the explosion was being planned by the Police. 

"The residences being searched are connected to the individual inside the vehicle. We are not looking for any other suspects at this time," police said late Friday afternoon.

"The Peel Regional Police Explosives Disposal Unit is assisting to ensure the safety of these residences, " WRPS said, and asked people to avoid these areas as well.

At a news conference held by police at noon, they said they did not believe the explosion was linked to an assault on a taxi driver.