'Smoking bag' police scene removed, CTrain service resumes

A Calgary Police Service investigation into a suspicious package outside a northeast business has prompted Calgary Transit to halt CTrain service between the Rundle and Franklin LRT stations for several hours.

According to police, officers were called to Marlborough Ford in the 600 block of 36 Street Northeast at approximately 3:30 p.m. and the intersection of 36 Street and 8 Avenue Northeast was closed to traffic.

Witnesses confirm to CTV Calgary that a man had been seen carrying a bag in the vicinity and smoke was pouring from the bag.

Staff of Eastside Dodge/Chrysler, located next to Marlborough Ford, were evacuated from the dealership. According to Matthew Menane, a sales representative with Eastside Dodge/Chrysler, there was a foul-smelling, chemical-like odour in the air he believes was connected to the suspicious bag. 

Shortly after 5:00 p.m., the CPS bomb disposal robot arrived at the scene. The robot retrieved the suspicious package just prior to 7:30 p.m.

CTrain service resumed and the closed section of 36 Street was reopened to traffic at approximately 9:45 p.m.

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  A man carrying a smoking bag walks along 36 Street NE, near the Marlborough LRT station, on Wednesday afternoon (image courtesy: Helen Taylor)

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  The CPS bomb disposal robot retrieves the suspicious package from near a dealership on 36 St NE early Wednesday evening.

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  CPS units along 36 Street NE during Wednesday afternoon's response to the Marlborough Ford dealership