Explosive unit en route to Essex County as object found on rural road

An explosives disposal unit from Base Borden is on its way to Essex County, OPP confirmed Tuesday afternoon, after a report of a traffic hazard police believe to be a mortar shell.

Const. Steven Duguay with Essex County OPP said officers responded around 10:30 a.m. for a report of a traffic hazard on Deer Run Road.

Duguay says they believe it to be a mortar shell, and have closed the area while they await a disposal unit to identify and handle the object.

With a unit on its way from Base Borden, Duguay says the expect the road to be closed for the better part of the day.

"We will treat anything as active until specialists say otherwise," Duguay said.

Duguay says the experts determination of what the object is and whether it was active will inform the police investigation that follows.