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Second world war bomb discovery forces evacuation of London homes Second world war bomb discovery forces evacuation of London homes
(about 1 hour later)
Police have warned people in London living close to an unexploded second world war bomb that it could destroy their homes and put their lives at risk.Police have warned people in London living close to an unexploded second world war bomb that it could destroy their homes and put their lives at risk.
The bomb, measuring 1.5 metres (5ft) with a tail fin, was found by construction workers in Bermondsey, south-east London, on Monday.The bomb, measuring 1.5 metres (5ft) with a tail fin, was found by construction workers in Bermondsey, south-east London, on Monday.
Homes within 200 metres of the site were evacuated on Tuesday as Royal Logistic Corps bomb disposal experts worked to defuse the bomb, and those living within 100 metres were asked to leave their homes. Homes within 200 metres of the site were evacuated on Tuesday, as Royal Logistic Corps bomb disposal experts worked to defuse the device, and those living within 100 metres were asked to leave their houses.
In a leaflet handed out to residents living near the 454kg (1,000lb) ordnance, the Metropolitan police said: “The army bomb disposal team have advised that, if the bomb explodes, buildings in the 200-metre zone will be significantly damaged and those close to the bomb will be destroyed. Remaining in your home is placing your life at significant risk.”In a leaflet handed out to residents living near the 454kg (1,000lb) ordnance, the Metropolitan police said: “The army bomb disposal team have advised that, if the bomb explodes, buildings in the 200-metre zone will be significantly damaged and those close to the bomb will be destroyed. Remaining in your home is placing your life at significant risk.”
Scotland Yard’s Southwark borough said in a tweet: “Sorry if the leaflet was a bit blunt but we wanted 2be honest&persuade ppl that it’s in their interest2leave (some don’t)“. The Met later said in a tweet: “Sorry if the leaflet was a bit blunt but we wanted 2be honest&persuade ppl that it’s in their interest2leave (some don’t)“.
Southwark ward councillor Lucas Green denied the police were causing unnecessary panic and said the response from emergency services and nearby residents had been “impressive”. Southwark ward councillor Lucas Green denied police were causing unnecessary panic and said the response from emergency services and nearby residents had been impressive.
He said: “This area lived through the Blitz once and it still remembers how to handle itself in a similar situation. He said: “This area lived through the blitz once and it still remembers how to handle itself in a similar situation. There’s the danger that people may think everything is OK. But the serious work begins now.”
There’s the danger that people may think everything is OK. But the serious work begins now.” Green said the council rehoused about 100 peopleon Monday night, as they could not return to their homes. He added that the Red Cross had been helping to provide food and other supplies to people who had to be evacuated.
Green said the council rehoused about 100 people last night who could not return to their homes. He added that the Red Cross had been helping to provide food and other supplies to people who had to be evacuated. Green wrote on Twitter that police were “telling residents within the 200m exclusion zone that the army hope to have removed and disposed of the UXB (unexploded bomb) by 4pm today”.
Green wrote on Twitter that police were “telling residents within the 200m exclusion zone that the Army hope to have removed and disposed of the UXB (unexploded bomb) by 4pm today”.
The bomb was found on the old site of the Southwark Irish Pensioners Centre. Green tweeted: “Seems our OAPs are hard as nails, drinking tea on top of a 1,000lb bomb for 70 years.”The bomb was found on the old site of the Southwark Irish Pensioners Centre. Green tweeted: “Seems our OAPs are hard as nails, drinking tea on top of a 1,000lb bomb for 70 years.”
He added that the police had told him a construction vehicle hit the bomb, and that it 2-3 metres below ground. He added that the police had told him a construction vehicle hit the bomb, and that it is 2-3 metres below ground.
London Fire Brigade said that between 2009 and 2014 it was called to attend to seven unexploded second world war bombs and five unexploded hand grenades. London fire brigade said that between 2009–2014 it was called to attend to seven unexploded second world war bombs and five unexploded hand grenades.