Avon and Somerset Police have put a cordon in place and evacuated residents after reports of loud bangs coming from a house at Sterncourt Road in Frenchay, Bristol, this morning
Residents have been told to take cover in a pub after “loud bangs” were heard coming from a house in a UK city. Officers from Avon and Somerset Police have put a cordon in place in Sterncourt Road in Frenchay, Bristol.
Locals whose homes have been evacuated have been told by police to go to the nearby Snuff Mill Harvester pub. At the pub, a member of staff told Bristol Live.: “There are quite a lot of residents that have been brought here. We are shut to the public but are opening at 11.30am. It’s a developing situation.”
An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: “A cordon is in place as emergency services respond to reports of an incident at a house near Frenchay.
“People from a number of properties in Sterncourt Road are being evacuated as a precaution. We’d ask people to avoid the area at this time.”
The force said “more details to follow”.
One resident who has been moved to the Harvester pub told BristolLive that he heard a loud ‘bang’ at about 6.30am and went outside onto the green that is surrounded by Bradeston Grove and Sterncourt Road only to be told to “get inside” by armed police.
He said neighbours have reported seeing smoke billowing from one of the houses. He told BristolLive: “There were two or three unmarked police cars and a number of ambulances and police vehicles, and now the bomb squad is there.”
The witness said a white tent has been put up on the green. He and his partner were told to leave their homes and go to the Snuff Mill Harvester pub. They helped elderly neighbours leave their homes and come with them. They are not sure if they will be allowed to return to their homes this evening.
He said: “We have been told to stay in the Harvester until further notice. We may not be able to go home tonight.”
Up to 70 people from the evacuated homes are at the Harvester, which is closed to the public. Staff at the pub/restaurant have provided them with free food and drink.
The witness said a cordon has been extended to cover the corner of Froomshaw Road, which is near Sterncourt Road.
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