Bang heard during Christchurch bomb scare as busy road evacuated, blocked off

A bomb disposal staff member geared up and headed out to the site, placing various pieces of equipment on the road. Photo / NZME

Multiple shops on Christchurch’s Ferry Rd have been evacuated following the discovery of a “suspicious-looking device” outside a store.

Police have set up a road block on a busy intersection as a result, with traffic and pedestrians being diverted.

It was confirmed by local police shortly after 8.30am today that officers were attending an event on the central city road.

According to a nearby shop owner, who NZME has agreed not to name, the evacuations were sparked by the discovery of the device.

Police responded to the reports of a suspicious device shortly after 8.30am. Photo / NZME

He said the device was left on an empty section at the corner of The Tool Shed.

The shop owner said police had shown him a photo of the can, which he said was “similar to a large V can” that had fluid inside.

The can also had wires coming out and an electrical device strapped to the side.

He told NZME “it’s gutting” that this incident has such an impact on the area, including his customers who cannot come and go from his business as a result.

However, the owner also understood the need to close the road, as Police wouldn’t write off anything as being not suspicious

The device was reportedly found at the corner of The Tool Shed. Photo / NZME

The bomb squad arrived from Burnham shortly after 9am, a bomb disposal robot was deployed and headed straight for The Tool Shed premises.

The robot sifted through debris outside the shop, clearly fixated on the right side of the shop’s entrance to the store.

At 9.30am, there was a bang that came from where the robot worked. Those watching on from the edge of the cordon called out “they just blew it up”.

Staff working on Ferry Rd were evacuated onto the street. Photo / NZME

Fifteen minutes later, a bomb disposal staff member geared up and headed out to the site, placing various pieces of equipment on the road.

While disposal experts continued to work away, a small crowd has gathered at the Aldwins Rd end of the cordon, with local shop workers awaiting the all-clear to return to their stores.

The Tool Shed staff were seen among those evacuated at the end of the road block, however they will not comment further at this time.

MORE TO COME.