A security risk forced the evacuation of the SaskPower head office in downtown Regina Thursday morning.
Hundreds of employees gathered on the street while dozens of police officers assessed the risk, which was apparently a bomb threat. However, when those employees were ordered to leave the building shortly before 8 a.m. they didn’t have further details, said SaskPower spokesman Tyler Hopson.
“We were told that there was a security risk, possibly a bomb threat. I don’t have much information on that, police might have more,” he said. “Police have done an initial search of the building and they don’t see any signs of a security breach either last (Wednesday) night or this (Thursday) morning.”
While the employees were outside cooling their heels, police were inside looking for anything suspicious. They found nothing and the workers were allowed back in at about 9 a.m.
Heather Johnson, part of the communications staff, was one of the evacuated employees. She says everything went very smoothly.
“Everybody was fairly relaxed, we were kept in the loop about what was happening and were told there was no threat and it was safe to return to work,” she says. “This something that we do, fire drills and practice emergency preparedness, fairly often so everybody was comfortable with what needed to be done.”
Regina police have issued a statement saying there is no evidence of imminent harm, but the investigation is continuing by police with the assistance and cooperation of SaskPower management and staff.
They are also asking anyone who may have information to contact police or CrimeStoppers.