Residents were swiftly evacuated from their homes as police and army bomb disposal teams descended on a residential street in Liverpool ahead of a powerful explosion that left witnesses fearing for their safety.
Douglas Road in Anfield was sealed off earlier in the day as Merseyside Police and army personnel swarmed the area following the discovery of a suspicious powder in a house linked to an ongoing investigation involving human remains found in a St Helens flat.
Authorities had been scrutinizing the property for several weeks as part of a wider inquiry connected to the human remains discovered in St Helens. A bomb disposal unit, donned in protective gear, had been on site earlier, confirming the presence of a “white powder” related to the investigation.
A convoy, including police vehicles and an explosive ordnance disposal team van, departed Anfield swiftly around 4:30 pm to conduct a controlled explosion of the powder. The explosion was carried out in an open area near Otterspool Promenade.
Witnesses reported a significant police presence at the promenade, with authorities urging people to clear the area before the explosion. The controlled detonation, which produced a loud blast, startled locals and passersby.
Merseyside Police had initially responded to Douglas Road around 2:30 pm. Forensic teams had been combing through the house for over three weeks in connection to the investigation of human remains found in St Helens earlier this year.
Neighborhood residents described seeing soldiers in full protective gear and military equipment at the scene, with evidence bags being carried away from the property under scrutiny.
Approximately 20 properties were evacuated as a precautionary measure while authorities removed the substance from the house. Evacuated residents shared their experiences of being abruptly asked to leave their homes for safety reasons.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service also assisted at the scene, providing support to the police operation. Detective Inspector Dave Jones emphasized the complexity of the investigation, stating that the forensic search at Douglas Street was crucial but time-consuming.
In a related development, police were present at another location on Moss Bank in St Helens, where additional evidence linked to the human remains investigation was being gathered.
George Gordon, 65, of Gerards Court, St Helens, faced charges related to the mishandling of a deceased body, appearing in court in January.
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