Two confirmed dead after explosion prompts massive Bristol evacuation

Two adults have died after an explosion at a house in Sterncourt Road, Bristol, this morning, Avon and Somerset Police said.

The announcement came after dozens of residents on a street in Bristol had been evacuated from their homes after reports of a loud ‘bang’.

Avon and Somerset Police have declared a major incident after the explosion at an address in Sterncourt Road at around 6.30am.

The cause is being treated as suspicious, the force said.

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

A cordon is in place on Sterncourt Road in Frenchay, with Avon and Somerset Police advising people to stay away from the area.

Most residents are evacuating to a nearby pub until the matter is settled, but a bomb squad has also moved in to investigate.

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.’

Avon and Somerset Police said in a statement: ‘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.’

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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