NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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On Wednesday Dec. 27, 2023, at 9:16 p.m. 3 District (Welland / Pelham) uniform officers from the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) responded for a report of an explosion in Welland.
Officers initially attended the area of Burgar Street Park. The NRPS Communication Unit received numerous calls from members of the public reporting a loud boom or explosion sound. The reports of the noise covered almost a 7km area. Police focused the investigation in the area where the initial call came in but were unable to locate any fires or evidence to support an explosion occurred.
Officers attended the area of Harrison Avenue and Gladys Avenue (Lincoln Avenue / Memorial Park Drive area) and located members of the public who captured footage of a red/orange flash followed by a boom/explosion sound that occurred at 9:10 p.m.
Contacts with local community partners (Welland Fire Services and Welland Hydro) have not been able to determine the source of the noise.
It should be noted that at the time of the incident some areas of Welland were experiencing fog. A side effect of a low weather ceiling and fog can possibly be an increased affect on loud noises e.g., fireworks.
The cause of the noise has not been determined. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1023300.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
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