Residents still out of homes after explosives found in St Helens house
Hundreds of people are preparing to spend a fourth day away from home after a hoard of explosives was foun
d at a man's house following his death.
"Explosive ordnance" was discovered at john Nelson's home on Chadwick Road in St Helens on Tuesday, Merseyside Police said. The "reclusive" 64-year-old's property was packed with wartime memorabilia, including devices and detonators which officers feared could explode.
More than 200 homes nearby were evacuated with some families being moved to a local community centre and then a school hall. Residents have yet to be given an estimate of when they can return to their homes.
A bomb disposal team carried out a series of safe detonations in a nearby field.
They were continuing to work through the house on Thursday to ensure it was safe.
Merseyside Police earlier said the address "presented a challenge" as all the rooms in the house contained a "considerable number" of belongings that Mr Nelson had collected over the years.
In a later update, the force revealed more improvised explosive devices (IEDs) had been found.
It said the area would remained cordoned off overnight into Friday due to concerns that further devices could be found.
Some of the ordnance is believed to date back to World War Two.
Merseyside Police said Mr Nelson's father was believed to have been in the Home Guard.
Chief Inspector Chris Barnes said: 'We realise this will be a really frustrating time for those who have been displaced from their homes and would like to reassure them that we will work our way through the house, with EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) specialists, as quickly as we can, but public safety is our ultimate priority and we have to make sure the search is done properly.'Residents have been incredibly understanding and patient throughout and I know the community, families and friends have pulled together to minimise the impact this incident has on all those affected.'St Helens Borough Council continues to provide assistance based at Chain Lane Community Centre, supported by our PCSOs and I would encourage anyone with concerns to visit the centre where help will be at hand.'Motorists and pedestrians are advised to avoid the road while emergency services remain at the scene.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
18 hours ago
- BBC News
St Helens residents return after explosives hoard cleared from home
Hundreds of people who were evacuated from their homes have been allowed to return after a four-day bomb disposal operation to clear a home filled with more than 70 explosive devices, firearms and booby traps. Residents of Chadwick Road in St Helens were told to leave on Tuesday after a hoard of explosives was discovered at the home after the property owner's Police said more than 70 improvised explosive devices, fireworks and pyrotechnics, conventional munitions along with 35 weapons including crossbows and firearms were discovered.A spokesman said the number of devices found showed why the cordon was needed as "public safety was paramount". Residents have been contacted to let them know they can finally return home after the disposal of the said they had lifted a cordon in the area following a "methodical and extensive search" of the house and force said the "reclusive" 64-year-old's property was packed with wartime memorabilia, including devices and detonators which officers feared could explode.A number of these were safely detonated in the nearby Eccleston Field, with the property now cleared of "anything of concern", a police spokeswoman Matthew Moscrop said the incident had demonstrated the "strength of community spirit" in the area as residents were forced to stay with family and friends during the four-day search. He said: "While this has been an incredibly tough week for everyone, I hope we will be able to reflect on the way so many people stepped up to the plate to support those in need when it mattered most." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Search for further explosives as more IEDs found in St Helens home
Police are continuing to search a man's house after a hoard of explosives was found there following his Police found "explosive ordnance" at the home of 64-year-old John Nelson on Chadwick Road, St Helens on Tuesday, with more than 200 homes nearby improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have since been found and the force said there was "an ongoing concern" that more homemade explosive devices could be discovered, which was a "significant risk" to the local Peter Clark said public safety was their key priority and so residents were unable to return to their homes. "We know that a lot of those people and families displaced will be frustrated," he said."But I can reassure them that the cordon will remain in place until we are all satisfied that the house and garden have been fully searched and any potential risks to the public negated."He said everyone was "working expeditiously" to finalise the search of the property, but as a result of further IEDs and other items found within the house and the garden they were unable to reduce the cordon yet. Some of the ordnance found in the home of the "reclusive" wartime memorabilia collector is believed to date back to World War included devices and detonators which officers feared could explode. A bomb disposal team has carried out a series of safe detonations in a nearby Police said they believed that Mr Nelson's father was in the Home of the evacuated residents from Chadwick Road and surrounding streets have been staying with family and Lane Community Centre has also been opened to help anyone trying to find temporary Clark said a further update would be issued later and "hopefully by then we will be in a better position to consider reduction of the cordon". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
ITV News
2 days ago
- ITV News
Residents still out of homes after explosives found in St Helens house
Hundreds of people are preparing to spend a fourth day away from home after a hoard of explosives was foun d at a man's house following his death. "Explosive ordnance" was discovered at john Nelson's home on Chadwick Road in St Helens on Tuesday, Merseyside Police said. The "reclusive" 64-year-old's property was packed with wartime memorabilia, including devices and detonators which officers feared could explode. More than 200 homes nearby were evacuated with some families being moved to a local community centre and then a school hall. Residents have yet to be given an estimate of when they can return to their homes. A bomb disposal team carried out a series of safe detonations in a nearby field. They were continuing to work through the house on Thursday to ensure it was safe. Merseyside Police earlier said the address "presented a challenge" as all the rooms in the house contained a "considerable number" of belongings that Mr Nelson had collected over the years. In a later update, the force revealed more improvised explosive devices (IEDs) had been found. It said the area would remained cordoned off overnight into Friday due to concerns that further devices could be found. Some of the ordnance is believed to date back to World War Two. Merseyside Police said Mr Nelson's father was believed to have been in the Home Guard. Chief Inspector Chris Barnes said: 'We realise this will be a really frustrating time for those who have been displaced from their homes and would like to reassure them that we will work our way through the house, with EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) specialists, as quickly as we can, but public safety is our ultimate priority and we have to make sure the search is done properly.'Residents have been incredibly understanding and patient throughout and I know the community, families and friends have pulled together to minimise the impact this incident has on all those affected.'St Helens Borough Council continues to provide assistance based at Chain Lane Community Centre, supported by our PCSOs and I would encourage anyone with concerns to visit the centre where help will be at hand.'Motorists and pedestrians are advised to avoid the road while emergency services remain at the scene.
