UPDATE: Situation over, brush fire led to exploding propane tanks

A heavy police presence in the area of Red Deer’s Westerner Park is now over.

RCMP responded to the area of 19 Street and 40 Avenue earlier Wednesday afternoon after reports of gunshots.

Police later determined that the “shots” were propane tanks exploding as the result of a bush fire in the small natural area between the Westerner Park RV campground and Oxbows off-leash dog park.

The fire has since been extinguished. No one was hurt, according to Red Deer Emergency Services.

Police add that just after 1 p.m., they did locate one male who was detained for questioning. No firearms were located on the male or in the area, which was searched by police dogs, and with the use of the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems.

The male was released without charges.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.