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City restaurant blast injures one City centre evacuated after blast
(30 minutes later)
An explosion at a restaurant in Exeter has injured at least one person. An explosive device has detonated at a restaurant in Exeter.
Police said an explosive device went off at about 1250 BST after a man walked into the Giraffe restaurant in the Princesshay shopping mall. One person was injured when the device exploded at about 1250 BST after a man walked into the Giraffe restaurant in the Princesshay shopping mall.
A force spokesman said firearms officers have been sent to the scene as well as specialist search teams. A large area of the city centre is being evacuated and firearms officers have been sent to the scene.
He added they could not rule out the possibility of another device and bomb disposal experts had arrived. Parts of the city have now been evacuated. A police spokesman said one man is in custody with "slight injuries". He added the possibility of other devices in the area could not be ruled out.
CCTV footage Officers are currently evacuating the city's bus station and have extended an exclusion cordon to include the Princesshay centre, Bedford Square, High Street, Queen Street and Paris Street.
Police are currently evacuating the city's bus station. Bomb disposal experts have been sent to the restaurant.
They have also extended the exclusion cordon to include the Princesshay centre, Beford Sqare, High Street, Queen Street and Paris Street. 'Three explosions'
It is being treated as a serious incident and police have asked stores in the area to retain any CCTV footage in case it becomes relevent at a later date. Police have asked stores in the area to retain any CCTV footage in case it is needed at a later date.
Police procedure is to clear the area, confirm it is clear, cordon it off, control the situation and check for more devices. At least one man was injured in the incident, which happened at a time when the recently opened centre would have been crowded with shoppers.
No-one else was injured in the incident, which happened at a time when the recently opened centre would have been crowded with shoppers. It's all a bit scary that it happened here Alison Fewens
It was definitely an explosion Trudy, eyewitness No details have been released about the injured man.
No details are known about the injured man.
Juliet Joffe, a director of Giraffe, confirmed to the BBC a "small explosion" had occurred in the restaurant.Juliet Joffe, a director of Giraffe, confirmed to the BBC a "small explosion" had occurred in the restaurant.
"No-one was injured apart from the person who caused the explosion and the restaurant was evacuated quickly and efficiently." She said the restaurant was evacuated "quickly and efficiently".
Eyewitness Peter Lacey who was in the restaurant with his wife told BBC News: "There were three explosions. It is my impression they sounded more like gunshots than a bomb, like a lightbulb exploding.Eyewitness Peter Lacey who was in the restaurant with his wife told BBC News: "There were three explosions. It is my impression they sounded more like gunshots than a bomb, like a lightbulb exploding.
"They came from a locked toilet.""They came from a locked toilet."
Another person who would only be identified as Trudy, said she was also in the restaurant at the time of the incident. Alison Fewins, 27, from Exeter, was shopping with her friend, Louise Platt, also 27, when the incident happened.
"It was definitely an explosion, it sounded like the lights were exploding," she said. Ms Fewins said: "We were about three or four shops away when we felt a vibration and heard a noise which we thought was building work.
"There was a lot of glass. I think it came from the toilet." "I am a bit shaken. It's all a bit scary that it happened here."
She said "There was concern, I wouldn't say there was panic, everyone got up and the staff were very good getting everyone out."
'Careful evaluation'
Devon and Cornwall Police said more resources are being sent to the area.Devon and Cornwall Police said more resources are being sent to the area.
Assistant Chief Constable Bob Spencer said: "We are carrying out a careful evacuation of the premises using the police and other emergency services that are at the scene.Assistant Chief Constable Bob Spencer said: "We are carrying out a careful evacuation of the premises using the police and other emergency services that are at the scene.
"We will update the people of Exeter about what has happened as soon as we can."We will update the people of Exeter about what has happened as soon as we can.
"In the meantime, I'd urge motorists to stay away from the city centre area and road delays are likely.""In the meantime, I'd urge motorists to stay away from the city centre area and road delays are likely."
Commenting on reports of the possibility of further devices he told BBC News: "There's always that potential."Commenting on reports of the possibility of further devices he told BBC News: "There's always that potential."
The £230m Princesshay development officially opened last September. The scheme has been heralded as the biggest single investment in regeneration in the city's history.The £230m Princesshay development officially opened last September. The scheme has been heralded as the biggest single investment in regeneration in the city's history.
It contains a mix of shops, restaurants and apartments.It contains a mix of shops, restaurants and apartments.
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