WW2 bomb to be blown up as 1,200 homes evacuated

A World War Two ordnance discovered at a construction site in Plymouth is set to be neutralized through a controlled explosion scheduled for Friday.

In response to this situation, authorities have evacuated over 1,200 homes within a 400-meter (1,300-foot) exclusion zone surrounding the site located in the Southway area of the city.

Col Nick Handy, the chief explosives officer overseeing the operation, indicated that the 250kg German SC250 bomb could not be relocated due to the inability to fully assess its fuses.

Col Handy emphasized that protective measures would be implemented to minimize potential damage to the surrounding area. He acknowledged public concerns regarding the bomb's longevity in the ground, stating, “A lot of people say 'Well it's been in the ground for 80 years, what's the problem with it?' The simple reason is, the fuses are the thing that makes it go bang.”

He further explained that X-ray examinations had not provided a clear evaluation of one of the fuses. "Unfortunately, we cannot get a definitive X-ray of the second fuse and therefore it's not safe to move that item," he noted. Consequently, the decision was made to detonate the bomb in its current location.

The colonel confirmed that substantial amounts of sand would be utilized to create a surrounding structure designed to contain the blast and fragments generated during detonation. Crews have been diligently working through the night to prepare the site for the explosion. “We're going to try our hardest to deflagrate that item and burn it inside of a structure that will limit the damage to the local surroundings,” he remarked. "I’m pretty confident that the mitigation measures will minimize most of the damage."

In a statement regarding public safety, he added, "We're going to work tirelessly through the night to ensure that the mitigation protects the buildings facing the site and covers the item to reduce the potential for blast and fragmentation to spread from where the work will occur."

Residents within the designated cordon have been advised to evacuate their homes, with police and the Royal Navy reinforcing the directive that re-entry into the exclusion zone is strictly prohibited until the operation is concluded.

The Southway Youth and Community Centre has been designated as an evacuation center, while Plymouth City Council is facilitating hotel accommodations for individuals unable to find shelter with friends or family.

Devon and Cornwall Police have indicated there are currently no plans to expand the cordon; however, they cautioned that the situation may evolve based on safety assessments.

In addition, Oakwood Primary School, Little Acorns Pre-School, and Beechwood Primary School will remain closed on Friday as safety operations are carried out.

It is noteworthy that Plymouth experienced extensive bombing during World War Two, and instances of unexploded ordnance are still being uncovered in the area. For example, in February 2024, more than 10,000 residents were evacuated from the Keyham neighborhood after a different wartime bomb was discovered in a back garden.