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A substantial World War Two bomb discovered at a construction site in Southway, Plymouth, was safely detonated through a controlled explosion earlier today. The device, identified as a German SC250 air-dropped bomb, was declared “made safe” by Plymouth City Council at 11:20. However, a security cordon remained in place until 13:45 while officials undertook thorough post-detonation safety inspections.
BBC reporter Angela Kalwaites described the moment of the blast, noting that around 11:15 a loud explosion reverberated across the area, startling onlookers. “You couldn’t miss that one,” she remarked, adding that the explosion produced visible smoke and set off nearby car alarms. The blast created a sizeable crater, and following the detonation, some roads close to the site remained closed for cleanup and safety reasons.
Colonel Nick Handy, who oversaw the bomb disposal operation, explained that the bomb could not be moved due to uncertainties regarding one of its fuses, which X-ray scans were unable to clarify. This necessitated an in-place detonation to neutralize the risk. Handy highlighted that only about one-third of the bomb’s explosive material was ignited, noting, “It could have been a lot bigger.” He praised the coordinated efforts of the bomb disposal team, stating, “The guys and girls on the ground were excellent in everything that they did – we won.”
Community safety cabinet member Councillor Sally Haydon revealed that extensive protective measures had been implemented prior to the detonation, including surrounding the bomb with 450 tonnes of sand and constructing walls and trenches to minimize the impact of the blast. She expressed deep gratitude toward the military experts responsible for the operation, saying, “They quite literally put their lives on the line and it is thanks to their exceptional expertise, professionalism and care that this operation was brought to a safe conclusion.” Residents displaced by the evacuation took refuge at a local center, where families like Estella McNally’s, along with her children and pets, found support during the disruption
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