‘Military artifact’ found in Mississauga backyard safely disposed of, police say

Police say they have safely disposed of a 'military artifact' that was found in a Mississauga backyard.

Police have safely disposed of a “military artifact” that was found in a Mississauga backyard on Saturday afternoon.

Peel Regional Police said they were called to a residence near Elmwood Avenue South and Lakeshore Road East at 12:44 p.m.

A resident located the artifact among a family member’s older belongings, police said.

“Preliminary assessment suggests it is a smoke device that would not produce shrapnel, only smoke,” a Peel police spokesperson said in an email to CP24.

The explosive disposal unit attended the scene and later discarded the artifact.

Officers went door to door to speak with residents, asking them to shelter in place or evacuate “out of an abundance of caution,” police said.