Exeter bomb cordon lifted

But many homes uninhabitable But many homes uninhabitable

People who have spent four nights away from their homes following the discovery of an unexploded Second World War bomb in Exeter can now go back home.

The 100-metre exclusion zone around the bomb site off Cowley Bridge Road has been lifted for the first time since the alarm was raised on Friday morning. 

Staff from the Exeter City Council’s building control team are still on site carrying out assessments to properties but have declared that no buildings are in imminent danger of collapse.  

It will now be down to these residents to return to their properties and contact their own insurance companies to try to claim recompense. 

Although residents can return to their properties, the council says many will be uninhabitable at this stage.

Whilst the cordon is to be lifted, security will remain on site to help residents return to their properties.

The developer of the site in Glenthorne Road where the bomb was discovered has also been allowed to return.

Council Leader Phil Bialyk, thanked residents for their patience and understanding. “Right from the start – from the time people were evacuated – to the time people have been allowed back to their homes, this has always been about one thing, safety,” he stressed.

“We were never going to allow people to return home if there was a danger of their property collapsing on them.

“Fortunately this is not the case and people will now be able to get back to their homes and start the procedure of contacting their insurance companies,” he added.

“I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in this incident, for protecting life and limb and keeping the people of Exeter safe.”

The council's helpline is on 01392 265000. 

The police drone team's footage of the blast is attached here.