UPDATE: 3:15 p.m.

Kelowna RCMP and the Explosives Disposal Unit (EDU) have left the scene on Terai Court.

Neighbours of Terai Road told Black Press the EDU was on scene briefly following the reopening of the William R. Bennett Bridge. 

A red car was towed from outside the residence. 

UPDATE: 2:15 p.m.

The van that has been blocking the William R. Bennett bridge was examined by EDU who rendered the vehicle safe for transport. The bridge has since been reopened to traffic in both directions.

The Mr. Chill Ice Cream van was towed to West Kelowna. 

The Explosives Disposal Unit has arrived at a home on Terai Court according to neighbours.

RCMP have confirmed the police presence at the house is connected to the van incident on the bridge. Black Press was able to confirm Mr. Chill Ice Cream lists 200 Terai Court as its address on its business licence. 

UPDATE: 1 p.m.

Kelowna RCMP is searching a home in Rutland. Police vehicles can be seen outside a home on Terai Court. During a media conference earlier this morning, RCMP stated that their presence is related to the incident on Bennett Bridge.

Neighbours told Black Press Media police also searched a vehicle at the home. It's believed the man arrested in a van on the bridge lives in a basement suite in the home or a carriage house on the property.

UPDATE: 12:45 p.m.

The Explosives Disposal Unit has arrived in Kelowna to assist with the police incident at the William R. Bennett Bridge. 

UPDATE: 12 p.m.

The known contents of the van parked on the William R. Bennett bridge present a significant risk to public safety said Kelowna RCMP acting officer in charge, Inspector Chris Goebel.

Police received a report of a distraught man, who made threatening comments to police about his personal well-being, in a van on the bridge at about 3:45 a.m. Monday. 

A risk assessment of the vehicle alongside the man91裸聊视频檚 comments via email and on the phone to police, resulted in South East District and explosive disposal unit being deployed to the scene. 

RCMP, BC Ambulance and fire crews were all on scene earlier this morning as a fire broke out in the van. Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze at which time the man was safely apprehended, however, Inspector Goebel did not state the individual had been arrested. 

The name of the man apprehended will not yet be released. The individual was taken to hospital for assessment. 

No other injuries were reported during the apprehension. 

91裸聊视频淚t is unclear if there are additional materials of concern as a search of the vehicle would place emergency personnel at undue risk,91裸聊视频� said Goebel.

Only once deemed safe will the vehicle be removed from the bridge and Highway 97 be reopened. 

Goebel stated that police are taking necessary precautions to ensure the safety of everyone including first responders.

RCMP are also on scene of a home in Rutland in connection to the incident on the bridge, but Inspector Goebel would not comment further. 

The Kelowna Fire Department91裸聊视频檚 regional marine rescue vessel is on the water assisting RCMP. 

Interior Health said surgeons, physicians, nurses and support staff including the staff from the West Kelowna Fire Department have either taken the vessel across to Kelowna General Hospital or have taken Westside Road around Okanagan Lake into Kelowna. 

BC Emergency Health Services has an air resource available for patient care, as fire trucks and ambulances are unable to cross the bridge. 

Interior Health is working to maintain services across the valley including West Kelowna Urgent Care, Vernon Jubilee Hospital and Penticton Regional Hospital. 

The health authority is working with staff to prepare for further action if the bridge is closed for a longer duration of time. 

This is the second incident this month that required the Lower Mainland explosive disposal unit to be deployed to Kelowna. On Jan.7 a suspicious package found downtown, caused several streets to be closed and the unit to be called in, however, the package was not an improvised explosive device (IED) according to RCMP. 

When asked if Kelowna should have its own explosive disposal unit, Inspector Goebel said that his role is to evaluate risk and provide the best services that the RCMP can as well as make recommendations but at the end of the day to allow for an explosive disposal unit to be permanently placed in Kelowna that is a decision for the BC RCMP. 

The 201 Forest Service Road between Penticton and Kelowna has not been maintained and motorists are advised to not use the road, as several drivers who attempted to take that route this morning became stuck and Central Okanagan Search and Rescue had to be deployed. 

The pedestrian breezeway under the William R Bennett bridge is open as RCMP have deemed this area safe.

UPDATE: 10:20 a..m.

Monitored Black Press Media emails received a message on Monday morning from an individual allegedly linked to the van that was believed to be parked on the bridge.
Black Press Media does not name or identify individuals who have not been officially charged.

The letter was also posted to social media and claims that there might be explosive material in the van, which remains on the bridge at 10 a.m. Monday.

RCMP continue to wait for the Lower Mainland Explosive Disposal Unit to arrive on scene.

The bridge will remain closed until further notice. 

UPDATE: 9 a.m.

RCMP have closed one lane of Bernard Avenue, westbound, in response to the early morning vehicle fire on the Bennett Bridge. 

From Westside Road to Pandosy Street is also closed. 

The William R. Bennett Bridge is closed in both directions in Kelowna Monday morning due to a police situation involving the Lower Mainland Explosive Disposal Unit.

Cpl. Michael Gauthier with the Kelowna RCMP says police responded to an individual in crisis who had parked a vehicle in the eastbound lanes of the William Bennet Bridge at about 3:45 a.m.

This individual is believed to have ignited a small fire in the vehicle before they were safely taken into custody.

According to a witness in the area, a white van was parked across the eastbound lanes at about 4 a.m. The van blocking the bridge appears to belong to an ice cream business, with a logo that reads Mr. Chill, Ice Cream. 

91裸聊视频淭he bridge is closed in both directions right now, while we have the necessary resources, including the Lower Mainland Explosive Disposal Unit, to ensure the vehicle can be removed safely,91裸聊视频� said Cpl. Michael Gauthier Kelowna RCMP Media Relations Officer. 91裸聊视频淥nce we deem the vehicle is safe, it will be removed and the highway will be reopened. Expect the bridge to be closed for several hours, please make alternate driving arrangements in the meantime.91裸聊视频�