Latest update on WW2 bomb in Exeter
Published: 2 March 2021
Residents affected by the impact of the detonation of a Second World War bomb in Exeter on Saturday afternoon are now being allowed back to their homes to further assess their properties.
Exeter City Council and other housing providers are contacting all residents who have been displaced by this major incident.
Staff from the Council’s Building Control team remain 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 make any further arrangements.
Council staff will be on site to meet residents and to offer general advice where they can. These appointments can be booked through the Council Helpline for today or tomorrow.
All residents are being given a letter from the council giving advice and information.
The safety cordon is lifted to allow residents to return to their properties although 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 is maintaining a helpline to deal with any queries about the incident. People can call 01392 265000.