UK: 1,200 homes evacuated after WWII bomb found at Plymouth building site

More than 1,200 homes have been evacuated in Plymouth after a Second World War bomb was discovered at a construction site, with authorities preparing to carry out a controlled explosion.A 400-metre exclusion zone has been set up around the site in the Southway area, where the 250kg German SC250 bomb was found, the BBC reported. Officials said the device cannot be safely moved due to concerns over its fuses.Col Nick Handy, the senior explosives officer leading the operation, said one of the bomb’s fuses could not be properly assessed despite X-ray attempts.“The simple reason is, the fuses are the thing that makes it go bang,” he told reporters.He added that the lack of a clear reading meant moving the device was too dangerous.“Unfortunately we cannot get a definitive X-ray of the second fuse and therefore it’s not safe to move that item,” he said. “So we’re going to blow it in situ.”Teams are working through the night to build a protective structure using large amounts of sand to reduce the impact of the blast.“We’re going to try our hardest to deflagrate that item and burn it inside of a structure that will limit the damage to the local surroundings,” Col Handy said, adding that efforts are focused on minimising blast and debris.Residents within the cordon have been told to leave their homes, and authorities have warned that no one should return until the operation is complete.Southway Youth and Community Centre has been opened to accommodate evacuees, while Plymouth City Council is arranging hotel stays for those unable to find alternative shelter.Devon and Cornwall Police said there are currently no plans to expand the exclusion zone, but noted that the situation could change depending on safety assessments.