200 customers stranded at Virginia Bunnings after pipe bomb hoax shuts store

More than 200 shoppers were stranded inside a Brisbane Bunnings store on Friday afternoon after a suspected pipe bomb was found in the car park.

Police at Bunnings Warehouse on Sandgate Rd at Virginia.

More than 200 shoppers were stranded inside a Brisbane Bunnings store on Friday afternoon after a suspected pipe bomb was found in the car park.

The bomb squad was called to Bunnings on Sandgate Rd at Virginia about 12.30pm to reports a suspicious item was located at the car park underneath the busy store.

Specialist police officers – including the bomb squad – were on the scene to assess the item.

A 100m exclusion zone had been set up and the business partially evacuated.

Brisbane Regional Duty Officer Inspector Jane Healy said the device was made to look like a pipe bomb.

“A member of the public called in to say he’d found a suspicious package in the car park of Bunnings Virginia,” Inspector Healy said.

“He said based on what it looked like, he thought it was a pipe bomb.”

Specialist police X-rayed the package to find it was a bottle wrapped in bubble wrap and duct tape.

“It’s definitely been done to try and look like a device, but there’s nothing in it to contain any sort of detonator, no fuel, anything like that.”

Inspector Healy said more than 200 people were stuck inside Bunnings while police made the area safe.

“Until we know exactly what the device is, we will always take it 100 per cent seriously.”

Police are reviewing nearby CCTV and footage.

No arrests have been made.

The exclusion zone has since been lifted.

During the drama, Bunnings Regional Manager Dave Miller said staff were following advice from police.

“The safety of our team members and customers is our top priority,” Mr Miller said.

“We can confirm emergency services are at our Virginia store this afternoon and we are following their advice.

“As this is a police matter, won’t comment further at this time.”

Originally published as 200 customers stranded at Virginia Bunnings after pipe bomb hoax shuts store