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Explosive detonated at shops: Adelaide man charged

Police say man had explosive device and firearm.

Police say man had explosive device and firearm. Photo: ABC

A man has been charged over the discovery of a homemade explosive device and a homemade firearm which forced the evacuation of a shopping centre in Adelaide’s north.

The 39-year-old was spoken to by patrols outside the Elizabeth Shopping Centre on Saturday afternoon and a search of his backpack uncovered the two items.

The explosive device was immediately isolated near an external loading bay and the area cordoned off.

Bomb squad officers were called in and a controlled detonation was performed.

Police said the circumstances of the incident were still being investigated but officers had ruled out the possibility of terrorist attack.

No person was directly threatened and no one was injured.

The man was charged with possessing prohibited weapons, firearms and explosives and was remanded in custody to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Monday.

The incident followed a security scare on Friday which delayed the start of the National Basketball League match between the Adelaide 36ers and the Cairns Taipans.

Fans, players and officials were evacuated from the Adelaide basketball stadium while security checks were made with the game starting about 20 minutes late.

No details of the nature of any threat were released but the 36ers management issued a statement thanking fans for their understanding.

“The safety of our fans is of utmost importance to both the NBL and the Adelaide 36ers,” the club said.

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