This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czjke9p0wz8o

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
St Helens street evacuated after explosives found in home St Helens neighbourhood evacuated after explosives found in home
(about 2 hours later)
Chadwick Road was evacuated and closed as a precautionChadwick Road was evacuated and closed as a precaution
A street was evacuated after several explosives were found at the house of a man who had died. Several streets were evacuated after explosives were found at the house of a man who died after amassing a collection of wartime memorabilia, including devices and detonators.
Police said they had attended the home of a man aged in his 60s in St Helens, Merseyside, when the "explosive ordnance" was found. The "explosive ordnance" was found at the house in Chadwick Street, St Helens, after the death of John Nelson, 64, on Tuesday, Merseyside Police said.
They said one item was found before several more were uncovered. Mr Nelson lived alone and had kept a range of wartime items, which may have belonged to his father who was a member of the Home Guard, as well as devices and detonators, the force said.
Chadwick Road was evacuated and closed as a precaution, with accommodation and support made available at Chain Lane Community Centre. Merseyside Police said the incident is "still ongoing". More than 200 homes on Chadwick Road and surrounding streets were evacuated, with residents told they will not be able to return home.
Police have said those affected can go back to their homes briefly this afternoon to collect medicines and a change of clothes, while alternative accommodation has been made available at Chain Lane Community Centre.
A bomb disposal team has carried out a series of safe detonations in nearby Eccleston Field, and were continuing to work through the home to ensure it was safe.
The death of Mr Nelson, who police said lived alone and was "believed to have led quite a reclusive lifestyle", was not being treated as suspicious.
Police 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.
They said the search would therefore "take some time".
Police said the incident was still ongoing as late as 12:30 BST on WednesdayPolice said the incident was still ongoing as late as 12:30 BST on Wednesday
A bomb disposal team attended to carry a safe detonation in an open space in the area, Merseyside Police added. Officers have been unable to identify any immediate relatives of Mr Nelson and were appealing for extended family to contact them.
Motorists and pedestrians were advised to avoid the road while emergency services dealt with the incident. Drivers and pedestrians were advised to avoid the road while emergency services dealt with the incident.
Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the man's death. The area was cordoned off by police when the explosives were discovered
They did not detail the precise nature of the explosives. Ch Insp 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 specialists, as quickly as we can, but public safety is our ultimate priority.
Motorists and pedestrians were advised to avoid the area "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."
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.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.