Two dead in Bristol explosion and major incident declared - in pictures

A "major incident" was declared after two people died in an explosion in a residential area in Bristol this morning (Sunday, May 3).

Armed officers and a bomb disposal unit rushed to Sterncourt Road, in Frenchay, at about 6.30am.

Two adults died at the address and their familes have been updated, Avon and Somerset Police said.

Enquiries are at an early stage but police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

Additional enquiries are being carried out at a property in Speedwell in connection with the explosion.

A cordon remains in place in Frenchay as a precaution to "help keep the public safe" as people living within the cordon were evacuated to a nearby temporary rest centre at the Snuff Mill Harvester pub and restaurant.

Whilst the cause of the explosion is being treated as suspicious, police said that the incident is not being treated as a terrorist incident.

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: "A cordon remains in place while emergency services respond to an incident in Bristol.

“An explosion was reported at a residential address in Sterncourt Road at about 6.30am today. The cause of the incident is being treated as suspicious, and a major incident has been declared.

“Two adults have died at the address and their families have been updated. Emergency services are following well-rehearsed plans in response to this incident.

“Our inquiries are at an early stage, but at this point we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.

“The cordon has been put in place as a precaution to help keep the public safe. People living within that cordon are therefore being evacuated to a temporary rest centre.

“There is not believed to be any significant damage to other properties.”

The spokesperson added: “Officers are also carrying out inquiries at a property in Speedwell linked to this incident.

“Given the recent change to the UK threat level, we would like to reassure the public from the outset we are not treating this as a suspected terrorist incident.

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

Emergency services were photographed at the scene as police, the bomb disposal unit, ambulance and forensics were seen.

Scroll down to view photos of emergency services at the scene. Visit our live blog here for the latest updates.

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