Members of the Bomb Squad dismantled a suspicious device found in a vehicle on Markham Road Monday, ending a lengthy evacuation that affected thousands of people.

Police, fire, and a HAZMAT team rushed to the scene of a towing yard at 2671 Markham Rd., just north of Finch following the discovery of a cube van containing suspicious and possibly explosive substances.

An area of about 1.6 squared kilometres, bordered by Steeles, Finch, Middlefield and Morningside, was evacuated after reports that the van was in close proximity to a large propane tank at Williams Towing Service Ltd.

"We've had officers go door to door, business to business, we've evacuated thousands of people at this point," P.C. Wendy Drummond said earlier.  "Due diligence is required here and that's what we've done...We've got information that there is a potential for an explosion."

Several hours later, Deputy Inspector Howie Page deemed the area safe.

"The Bomb Squad have dismantled the device in the vehicle," he told CityNews.  "There is no longer an emergency situation."

"There was a device that was wired to the vehicle.  It's too early to determine what the device was, it is safe now and the area is safe."

Police were investigating an address in the Victoria Park and Danforth area where the cube van was reportedly towed from.

Page revealed that a 27-year-old man, a student at Centennial College, has been arrested.  There's no word yet on charges.