Police evacuate Bristol homes around suspicious car

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/may/31/police-evacuate-bristol-homes-suspicious-car

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Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes in Bristol to allow controlled explosions to be carried out on a suspicious car.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary said it set up a 200-metre exclusion zone and moved people from around 460 homes in the Fishponds area, north-east of Bristol, after finding the vehicle in Cassell Road.

Officers were called about the suspicious car, which smelled of fuel, just before 4am. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was called to the scene and carried out several controlled explosions on the vehicle.

Chief Supt Geoff Spicer said: "We will be carrying out a full and thorough investigation into this incident now the controlled explosions have taken place. At this stage we believe this is an isolated incident and could be linked to an ongoing dispute and we are progressing lines of enquiry."

The exclusion zone was expected to remain in place until at least 2pm and people were being advised to avoid the area due to road closures.