Bristol house explosion that killed two ‘was caused by grenade thrown by ex’

The fatal explosion in Bristol, which killed two people, was caused by a ‘grenade’ detonated in front of a mum by her ex-partner.

Police called to a domestic fight at a home were just moments away from death after being called to the location on Sterncourt Road this Sunday.

Neighbours revealed that the female victim had just moved to a terraced home on the Bristol street to escape an ex-partner.

Wayne Smith, 58, told The Sun: ‘He’s turned up at her house with a grenade and detonated it on the doorstep and killed the pair of them.’

Friends and neighbours have begun to pay tribute to the victim, who hasn’t been named, but is believed to work at a local tanning salon.

Superintendent Matt Ebbs said: ‘A woman and a man have died at the address and we’re treating the explosion as suspicious. 

‘Their families have been updated and are being supported by specially trained officers. Our thoughts are very much with them.’

The neighbourhood has since been declared safe after bomb disposal units moved through and checked for any unexploded ordnance.

More than 70 people had to be evacuated to a nearby Harvesters pub before being moved on to a community centre.

A pub worker told Metro: ‘Obviously, they were very confused, very worried because there was a lot of speculation, but they seemed to be in good spirits.’

Police are currently not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident, and they are not treating it as a suspected terrorist event.

One witness said a loud bang around 6.30am and went to investigate, until being told to ‘get inside’ by armed police forces.

A resident told the Mirror that he and his partner are helping elderly neighbours evacuate to a nearby pub.

He added: ‘We have been told to stay in the Harvester until further notice. We may not be able to go home tonight.’

Another resident claimed to see smoke from a house, telling BristolLive: ‘There were two or three unmarked police cars and a number of ambulances and police vehicles, and now the bomb squad is there.’

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