Hazardous Material Detected in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures

A hazardous substance was identified and safely neutralized in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures on Friday, prompting a coordinated emergency response. Residents reported a strong explosion in the area around 8 p.m., which officials later confirmed was related to the controlled detonation of a potentially explosive chemical. The incident began earlier in the day when a citizen contacted emergency services after suspecting the presence of crystallized picric acid on Jean-Charles-Cantin Street. Picric acid, known for its high reactivity and explosion risk, prompted immediate action from Quebec City firefighters and the hazardous materials response team. A safety perimeter was established, and explosive technicians from the Sûreté du Quebec were brought in to assist with identification and handling. After securing the substance in a blast-resistant container, authorities transported it to an isolated section of the Hétrière ecocenter. There, Sûreté du Quebec explosive specialists carried out a controlled neutralization procedure in the evening, resulting in the loud blast heard by nearby residents in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Cap-Rouge, and L’Ancienne-Lorette. The individual who reported the substance said they had obtained it from an acquaintance in a work-related context. Aware of its dangers, they chose to contact emergency services rather than dispose of it at an ecocenter, a decision officials noted helped prevent a potential hazard. The response caused temporary traffic disruptions in the vicinity, but no injuries were reported. Authorities confirmed the substance was successfully identified and neutralized without incident.