Montreal police practise terrorist attack response

Montreal police are warningMontrealersthat theymay hear two loud explosions downtown today as part of aterrorist attack simulation.

The simulationis meant to test how firstresponders would handle such an emergency.

Police said people may hear the sound of gunshots, as well as explosions.

The following downtownstreets, nearPlace des Arts,wereclosed to traffic from noon to 3 p.m.

• St-UrbainStreetbetween Sherbrooke Street and Ste-Catherine Street.
• Jeanne-ManceStreetbetween Sherbrooke Street and De Maisonneuve Boulevard.
• BleuryStreetbetween Sherbrooke Street and Prsident-Kennedy Avenue.
• Ontario Street and President-Kennedy Avenue between Clark Street and City Councillors Street.
• De MaisonneuveBoulevardbetween Clark Street and Jeanne-ManceStreet.
• Evans Street.

Montreal policeCmdr.IanLafreniresaid more than350 people are takingpart includingparamedics,fire fighters and other emergency response workers.

"The main goal of the exercise tomorrow is to see how we work together," he told CBC Montreal'sDaybreak.

He said the last simulation was held in 2005.

Lafrenire said signs wereposted to make sure residents are aware there isn't a real emergency.

The simulation beganat the Canadian Forces Base near HaigAvenueand Notre-Dame Street.

Afternoon activities centred mainly around the Montreal police headquarters on St-UrbainStreetand theBlack Watch AmouryonBleury Street near President-Kennedy Avenue.

About 200 observers were expected to watch.