Bomb unit called after backpack found with fireworks, Roman candles

Police say a backpack found Thursday on a downtown Saskatoon block contained necessary materials to make a low-level explosive.

A patrol officer spotted the unattended bag, which was sitting on the ground in the 200 block of 19th Street East, at about 7:30 a.m.

Paint cans, fireworks, Roman candles and other items police have yet to disclose were inside the bag.

Const. Ryan Ehalt, a police spokesman, told The Canadian Press officers elected to cordon off the location and call in the explosives disposal unit to destroy the items.

A second suspicious object also found in the area was sent for testing but found to not pose a threat to public safety.

Police are checking video surveillance to try to find the person who left the backpack.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 306-975-8300 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

--- with files from The Canadian Press