Bristol explosion today latest: Two killed in ‘suspicious’ blast as major incident declared

The Marshals Service defines a major incident as “an event or situation with a variety of serious consequences that requires the application of special regulations by one or more emergency response units.”

Avon and Somerset Police have asked the public to avoid the area where the explosion is currently taking place.

Bradley Shepherd, who lives in Bradeston Grove, said he “jumped out of bed” when he heard a “big boom” at the time of the explosion.

He told the BBC that police and armed police would arrive at the property “within a few minutes”.

He added that the entire neighborhood was told to vacate their property within 15-20 minutes and was directed to the local Harvester.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told BristolLive he heard a loud “boom” at around 6.30am and went outside to see what had happened.

The armed police told him to “get in, get in!” He said he shouted.

He and his partner were told to vacate their home shortly after and move to the Harvester pub until further notice.

Officers are also investigating a property in Speedwell which police say is linked to the explosion in Sterncourt Road.

Avon and Somerset Police said a cordon was established as a precaution to help keep the public safe.

“People living within this cordon are being evacuated to a temporary rest centre,” they said, adding: “No serious damage is believed to have occurred to other properties.”

A police representative said: “Given the recent change in the UK’s threat level, we would like to reassure the public from the outset that we are not treating this as a suspected terrorist incident.

“We would ask people not to speculate about the circumstances and continue to encourage the public to avoid the area while emergency services respond to this incident.”

It was reported that an explosion occurred at a residential address on Sterncourt Road at around 06.30 today.

While the cause of the incident was treated as suspicious, it was declared a major incident.

Two adults died at the address and their families have been informed.

The cordon remains in place while emergency services respond to the incident.