Bomb targeted Canadian gas pipeline

DAWSON CREEK, British Columbia, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are investigating a bomb blast that targeted a natural gas pipeline in northeastern British Columbia.

RCMP Sergeant Tim Shields said a hunter discovered a 6-foot crater beneath the 15-inch pipeline in Dawson Creek, near the border with Alberta on Sunday, the Globe and Mail reported Wednesday.

Police believe the blast occurred Saturday, targeting the natural gas line owned by the Encana Corp., the Vancouver Sun said.

The bomb was set where the pipeline emerged from underground at a 45-degree angle, police said. The pipeline didn't rupture, but much of the lower insulation was blown off, officials said.

Along with the RCMP, investigators with the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team are assisting in the probe, the report said.

Last week, a local newspaper received an anonymous letter warning oil and gas companies to get out of northeastern British Columbia, and investigators were running tests on it, the report said.