Residents of a Leigh street were evacuated after sticks of dynamite were found in a neighbouring home
A street was cordoned off and residents ordered to leave after the clearance of a late Leigh householder’s property unearthed sticks of dynamite
Emergency services descended on a Wigan borough street after sticks of dynamite were found during a house clearance.
Residents of nearby homes in Pennington Road, Leigh, were temporarily evacuated and the carriageway cordoned off to traffic and pedestrians while bomb disposal experts examined the scene and removed the explosive for controlled blasts elsewhere.
The property was being emptied of its contents following the death of its owner.
The drama unfolded yesterday (Tuesday September 1) evening.
A statement from Wigan and Leigh Police reads: “At 5.28pm officers responded to a report of a box containing what was believed to be dynamite which had been discovered in a property on Pennington Road in Leigh.
“A small cordon was put in place at the address and residents were asked to remain in their homes while the items were assessed.
“Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experts attended and confirmed the box contained several sticks of viable dynamite.
“The decision was made to transport the explosives to a safe location where controlled detonations can be carried out.
“Initial enquiries indicate the item was discovered during the clearance of a property following the death of the occupant.
“There is currently no information to suggest any wider threat to the public or any criminal intent connected to the discovery. “