A man and woman were killed following an explosion at a house in Bristol at about 6.30am on Sunday morning, while three others were taken to hospital as police investigate the incident
Police have released a significant update following an explosion in Bristol. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that a man and woman lost their lives in the blast.
An further three people, including a child, were injured in the incident and are currently in hospital. Superintendent Matt Ebbs revealed at a police press briefing that officers were called to a “domestic incident” at 6.17am.
However, before they could reach the location, an explosion occurred at 6.30am. The force said a woman and man died at the Sterncourt Road property, while man, a woman and a child were taken to hospital for treatment for minor injuries.
A cordon is expected to remain until Sunday evening, reports the Mirror. Police are conducting investigations at a separate property in Speedwell, Bristol, associated with the man who died.
In a statement issued on Sunday afternoon, Superintendent Matt Ebbs said: “A cordon was put in place to protect the public and to allow inquiries to be carried out at the scene.
“This included specialist searches carried out by the British Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal, as a precaution. People living within the cordon were evacuated to a temporary rest centre, and we want to thank them for their ongoing cooperation and understanding.
“We fully recognise how disruptive this has been for them, and to manage expectations, we think the cordon will remain in place until at least the evening, and we’ll continue to provide updates where we can.
“Public safety will always be our priority and we’ll reduce the cordon as soon as it’s safe for people to return to their homes.”
Armed officers were seen and locals have been relocated to an emergency “temporary rest centre” at the nearby Snuff Mill Harvester pub.
Residents in the vicinity reported hearing a loud “bang” early this morning, followed by smoke billowing from one of the houses.
Avon and Somerset Police set up a white tent at the scene, while the cordon was later extended to encompass the corner of Froomshaw Road.
One local, who has since been moved to the Harvester pub, mentioned he heard a loud “bang” around 6.30am and went outside, but was instructed to “get inside” by armed officers. He added that neighbours observed smoke emanating from one of the houses.
In an earlier statement, Avon and Somerset police said: “A cordon remains in place while emergency services respond to an incident in Bristol. An explosion was reported at a residential address in Sterncourt Road at about 6.30am today (Sunday 3 May).
“The cause of the incident is being treated as suspicious, and a major incident has been declared. Two adults have died at the address and their families have been updated. Emergency services are following well-rehearsed plans in response to this incident.
“Our enquiries are at an early stage, but at this point we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident. The cordon has been put in place as a precaution to help keep the public safe.
“People living within that cordon are therefore being evacuated to a temporary rest centre. There is not believed to be any significant damage to other properties.
“Officers are also carrying out enquiries at a property in Speedwell linked to this incident. Given the recent change to the UK threat level, we would like to reassure the public from the outset we are not treating this as a suspected terrorist incident.
“We ask people not to speculate around the circumstances and continue to encourage the public to avoid the area while emergency services respond to this incident.”
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