Two Port Alice residents were injured Tuesday when a mail package exploded in a manB次元官网网址檚 hands in what police are calling a targeted incident.

According to a resident who requested to remain anonymous, Roger Nepper, a long-time Port Alice local in his 60s and retired from the townB次元官网网址檚 pulp mill Neucel Specialty Cellulose, was rushed to a hospital Sept. 11 in Nanaimo after sustaining serious, but non-life threatening injuries. NepperB次元官网网址檚 wife, Shirley Bowick, received minor burns from the incident.

According to the anonymous resident, the mail package was allegedly sent from the Yukon.

The RCMP confirmed in a media release Wednesday morning the incident is believed to have been targeted. Nepper received the package through Canada Post, and while opening it up in his home the package blew up.

The Port Alice Emergency Facebook page posted Tuesday afternoon that the townB次元官网网址檚 post office, Scotiabank branch and the residential Clark Drive area where the incident occurred, were closed down following the incident. The post also asked members of the public to avoid those areas and respect police investigations and the fire departmentB次元官网网址檚 efforts.

The two homes next to the victimB次元官网网址檚 residence were evacuated while the RCMP, in heavy protective suits or what may be known as a blast suit, went into the victimB次元官网网址檚 home. As of Wednesday, the RCMP were still investigating the scene.

Island district media relations officer, Cpl. Tammy Douglas, said via press releasr that the Port Hardy RCMP, the RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit, an RCMP explosives dog, Campbell River RCMP Forensic Identification Section and RCMP Island District General Investigation Section are assisting in the investigation. Canada Post is also engaged, but has referred all questions to the RCMP.

Douglas asked anyone with information to contact the Port Hardy RCMP at 250-949-6335 or if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).