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Man held after city centre blast Man held after city centre blast
(about 2 hours later)
An explosive device has detonated at a restaurant in an Exeter shopping mall.An explosive device has detonated at a restaurant in an Exeter shopping mall.
One person, believed to be responsible for detonating the device, was hurt in the blast at 1250 BST in the Giraffe restaurant in the Princesshay centre. One person, believed to be responsible for detonating the device, was hurt in the blast at 1250 BST at the Giraffe restaurant in the Princesshay centre.
A police spokesman said a 22-year-old man was in custody with "slight injuries" including lacerations to his eye and some facial burning.A police spokesman said a 22-year-old man was in custody with "slight injuries" including lacerations to his eye and some facial burning.
Chief Constable Stephen Otter said one device exploded in the restaurant and another was found nearby.Chief Constable Stephen Otter said one device exploded in the restaurant and another was found nearby.
The second device did not explode.The second device did not explode.
Officers evacuated the city's bus station and extended an exclusion cordon 100 metres around the scene.Officers evacuated the city's bus station and extended an exclusion cordon 100 metres around the scene.
The cordon includes Bedford Square, High Street, Queen Street and Paris Street. It's all a bit scary that it happened here Alison Fewens It's all a bit scary that it happened here Alison Fewens
Mr Otter said: "The injured man had one of the explosive devices on him, which partially went off. The other, in the vicinity of the restaurant, did not go off."
Stores in the area have been asked to retain any CCTV footage in case it is needed at a later date.Stores in the area have been asked to retain any CCTV footage in case it is needed at a later date.
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.
She said the restaurant was evacuated "quickly and efficiently".She said the restaurant was evacuated "quickly and efficiently".
Ms Joffe said: "All we know at present is there was an explosion in the Giraffe in Princesshay and the Princesshay has been evacuated."
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.
Devon and Cornwall police hold a news conference
"They came from a locked toilet.""They came from a locked toilet."
Alison Fewins, 27, from Exeter, was shopping with her friend, Louise Platt, also 27, when the incident happened.Alison Fewins, 27, from Exeter, was shopping with her friend, Louise Platt, also 27, when the incident happened.
Devon and Cornwall police hold a news conference
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.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.
"I am a bit shaken. It's all a bit scary that it happened here.""I am a bit shaken. It's all a bit scary that it happened here."
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.
"In the meantime, I'd urge motorists to stay away from the city centre area and road delays are likely."
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.
Are you in Exeter? Did you witness the explosion or the aftermath? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:Are you in Exeter? Did you witness the explosion or the aftermath? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:
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