Police arson squad and chemist to examine East Warrnambool home-made explosive

Early last night police executed a search warrant at a Hopkins Road property and found a home-made improvised explosive device in the garage.

The warrant was related to a burglary at a nearby milkbar committed in the early hours of Thursday in which cigarettes and charity tins valued at $3000 were allegedly stolen.

A quantity of cigarettes were found when police searched the home.

When the device was found the bomb squad was alerted and came to Warrnambool overnight.

The device was made safe and left at the property awaiting the arrival today of the arson and explosive squad members and the chemist. 

Those officers are expected to arrive in Warrnambool about 10am.

A Warrnambool man aged in his 40s is assisting police with their inquiries.

He is expected to be further questioned by Warrnambool detectives and could appear in Warrnambool Magistrates Court as early as later today.

Last night police blocked off Hickford Parade and Florence Street for more than an hour after finding the device.

Local resident Wally Steere, who lives at the corner of Hopkins Road and Cyma Street, said when he arrived home from work and saw the police he wasn’t initially concerned.

‘‘There’s often a crash along here so I thought I’d go and have a sticky,” Mr Steere said.

‘‘Florence Street was blocked off at both ends.’’

Mr Steere said he spoke to police and was told they were asking residents to stay indoors ‘‘because there’s been a suspicious package they’re not happy about’’.

He said he was happy to stay in the area with his family and trusted police to make the right call.

Mr Steere’s Cyma Street neighbours were unaware of the police activity metres away from their home.

Local residents and visitors and staff at the Lyndoch Nursing Home were still being turned away from the area at 8.30pm.