Two adults have died after an explosion at a house in Bristol on Sunday morning, with police announcing they are treating the event as suspicious. Avon and Somerset Police declared a major incident following the blast at an address on Sterncourt Road at approximately 6:30am.
Police Investigation Underway
The force has stated that the cause is being treated as suspicious. However, they are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with the incident and have confirmed it is not being treated as a suspected terrorist event. A large emergency response was in place around Sterncourt Road, with police cordons set up on nearby roads. Police cars and vans were present, along with an ambulance and a bomb disposal team.
Community Impact
Residents described the neighbourhood as usually quiet and friendly. Those living within the cordoned-off area are being evacuated to a temporary rest centre. There is believed to be no significant damage to nearby properties. Officers are also carrying out enquiries at a property in Speedwell, which police say is linked to the Sterncourt Road explosion.
Official Statements
The force said: “Given the recent change to the UK threat level, we would like to reassure the public from the outset we are not treating this as a suspected terrorist incident. We ask people not to speculate around the circumstances and continue to encourage the public to avoid the area while emergency services respond to this incident.” The families of the two deceased individuals have been informed.
The College of Policing defines a major incident as “an event or situation with a range of serious consequences which requires special arrangements to be implemented by one or more emergency responder agencies.”
