news, latest-news, Bomb, Brauer College, Warrnambool, Evacuated, Caramut Road

Click here to read the latest on this story. SPECIALISTS from the bomb squad have detonated a pipe bomb which was found at the edge of Brauer College's grounds on Tuesday afternoon. The squad arrived in Warrnambool just after 6pm. They used a robot to pick up the device and lower it into sandbags which had been set up near the school's main gate. It was detonated about 7.15pm, with a loud boom echoing across the school yard. Officers in full safety suits inspected the detonated device "close up" shorty after and the investigation was handed back to local police. The device will be sent for forensic testing. Roadblocks and a 100-metre exclusion zone remained in place but was expected to be lifted soon after. EARLIER:The bomb squad is now expected to arrive in Warrnambool around 6.30pm. The State Emergency Service has been called in to assist with traffic diversions and police are asking people to stay away from the immediate area. Parents were told collect their children from the northern end of the school, near Brauerander Park. An information night at the school has been postponed until tomorrow. EARLIER: A MAJOR police operation is underway at Brauer College after a pipe bomb was discovered at the school. The school was locked down after the suspicious device was found near the bus shelter at the front of the college just after 2.30pm. About 10 police officers taped off the bus shelter, diverted traffic and put in place a 100-metre exclusion zone. Students were moved to the school's auditorium and had to leave the school via the northern exits. Staff at businesses in the area have been evacuated or told to stay away from windows. Warrnambool Police Sergeant Callum McKinnon said it was "definitely a pipe bomb". Police took photos of the device which were forwarded to the bomb squad based in Melbourne. Three bomb squad members are expected to arrive at the scene around 9pm tonight. Traffic was being diverted at Raglan Parade and Fotheringham Street. It is believed students will be taken to Raglan Parade where buses will conduct their usual end-of-school pick-ups. Assistant principal Rob Porter contacted police at 2.30pm after the device was found.

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