Residents return home after Great Yarmouth explosion
A bomb found earlier this week was being worked on by experts when it exploded unexpectedly yesterday afternoon
Last updated 11th Feb 2023
Residents who were evacuated when an unexploded World War Two bomb was discovered in Great Yarmouth have returned home.
Emergency services and agencies declared a major incident following the discovery of the large unexploded device at a river crossing on Tuesday.
They told a number of people to leave their properties and moved them to evacuation centres.
Nearby businesses have also experienced disruption over the last few days.
On Friday afternoon, Norfolk Police said there was an "unplanned" detonation as experts tried to disarm the device.
Army specialists had been cutting the bomb using a technique which creates a slow burn of the explosives, and burns off that material.
Officers had said there was a risk of an unintended detonation. They've confirmed no one was hurt in the blast.
Norfolk Police confirmed what had happened in a post on social media.
Damage to nearby land is being assessed but it's not thought there's been any substantial impact on the local area.
Norfolk Constabulary's Assistant Chief Constable Nick Davison said:
"This has been a painstakingly long process but public safety and that of the people involved in the operation has been at the heart of decision making.
"This was the final phase of a delicate operation which has caused much disruption in the town, but we're hopeful this could be resolved soon and that cordons can be lifted, if everything goes to plan."
A spokesperson for Cadent, which manages the local gas mains network, said:
"Our team has carried out a close inspection of our pipes in the vicinity. There is no indication that the blast has caused damage to our assets and gas continues to flow safely."