Two adults have died after an explosion at a house in the Frenchay area of Bristol, police said on Wednesday. Police said they are treating the cause as suspicious and have declared a major incident, urging people to stay away. The explosion was reported at a property in Sterncourt Road at around 6:30am on Wednesday morning, according to authorities.
Bomb disposal units have been deployed at the scene, according to multiple reports, and armed police officers were spotted in the area, with a police helicopter also seen overhead. Residents described hearing a loud bang that shook their homes before smoke was seen billowing from one of the houses. Firefighters and ambulance crews were also present at the scene, according to multiple reports.
Avon and Somerset Police set up a white tent at the site, officials said. The cordon, initially confined to the immediate area, was later extended to cover the corner of Froomshaw Road as a precaution, police added. Residents within the cordon were moved to an emergency temporary rest centre at the nearby Snuff Mill Harvester pub, according to police.
The pub was designated for evacuated residents, they added. Police confirmed they are not treating the explosion as terrorist related, despite a recent change to the UK threat level. They also stated they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
In a statement, the force said they were not seeking anyone else in connection with the incident, adding that the families of the two deceased adults had been informed, emergency services were following well-rehearsed plans, and there was not believed to be significant damage to other properties. The force urged the public not to speculate about the circumstances and to avoid the area while emergency services respond. Separately, officers are carrying out inquiries at a property in Speedwell believed to be linked to the explosion, police said, adding that the cause of the blast remains unknown and the identities of the adults have not been released.
Police asked the public to avoid the area while the investigation continues and urged anyone with information to come forward.