A 100-metre cordon was placed around Exmouth Marina, Devon after a ‘very large’ World War Two bomb was found – residents living with 600 metres were forced to stay elsewhere
Up to 2,500 homes have now been evacuated in Devon after a bomb from World War Two was discovered.
An 100-metre cordon was placed around Exmouth Marina, Devon, which was later extended to 400 metres after it was found on Wednesday. Today, the cordon has been set up to 600 metres after the “very large” device was found, police said.
Locals living nearby have not been able to return home amid what police called a “major incident”. At least 40 people spent the night in a leisure centre, Councillor Joe Whibley of the Exmouth Town ward said, while East Devon Council said another 500 homes were evacuated after the cordon was extended..
“Following extensive expert advice over the past 24 hours, the cordon from Exmouth Marina will increase from 400 metres to 600 metres at 9pm,” the council said. “It will mean that residents will be displaced from around a further 500 properties tonight, in addition to those evacuated last night.
The council said military experts had been trying to decide the best course of action to defuse the device. It is expected to be “carefully transported” to sea at high tide tomorrow and disposed of.
Residents within the cordon are being asked to leave their homes as soon as possible and are encouraged to make arrangements to stay with friends and family.
Teams from Devon & Cornwall Police, will be in the area to knock on the doors of affected properties to ensure people have the support they need.
The Evacuation Assembly Point remains open at Exmouth LED Leisure Centre, at the Royal Avenue, with Devon County Council and East Devon District Council staff on hand to provide help and support. Those who are unable to stay with family and friends will be advised on accommodation.
Once the operation is complete, police will begin to reopen the roads. If the operation goes to plan, this will happen tomorrow morning. Exmouth residents affected by the cordon will be allowed back to their homes as soon as it is safe to do so.
One local said the staff at LED Exmouth Sports Centre “were truly welcoming and caring” and had been “offering warmth, teas, coffees and biscuits and moving chairs around and ensuring everyone was cared for and comfortable”.
In a social media post, police said: “This is a major incident. There will be significant impacts to the town.
“This is a very large WW2 German bomb. There are multiple emergency services present including bomb disposal teams, and there has been residential evacuations. We would ask people to stay away from the area at this time.
“If you live within the current cordons and have any concerns, please speak to officers on the ground.
A school in Millbay, which is within the evacuation zone, has been closed.
A resident writing on Exmouth Community UK said: “I am in St Andrews Road, near town end, and I can’t access my house tonight after coming back from work!
“It is a critical incident and I feel so much for those affected with small children etc and I had to sign a disclaimer to come to walk to my house to feed my pets and I can’t take them as I don’t have a cat box.
“It is apocalyptic and very scary to leave now – I have got no choice, this cordon is being extended to past prezzo now.”
Councillor Whibley said: “I’d like to say thank you to the staff from East Devon District Council and Exmouth Town Council who went above and beyond to ensure everybody was well looked after last night. They dealt with a significant number of people who are now safe from harm.
“I’m not aware of exact numbers but there were at least 40 people in the leisure centre last night, while evacuations were continuing.
“Thanks also to LED Leisure who have been brilliant, welcoming and kind.”
Local MP David Reed advised residents living within the cordon to make arrangements with friends and family “while this situation is being dealt with”.
He added: “A huge thank you to all the teams working around the clock to bring this situation to a safe conclusion, particularly in very wet and challenging conditions. Thanks as well to the LED staff, volunteers, and council staff for the care, reassurance, and support they are providing to those affected.
Having spent time with you all over the past few hours, I am incredibly proud of the way our community has come together during this unexpected turn of events.
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