Bomb disposal experts called after 'dynamite' found during Leigh house clearance
Police and bomb disposal teams were called to Pennington Road, Leigh, after sticks of dynamite were discovered while clearing a late resident’s house.
A section of Pennington Road in Leigh was cordoned off after several sticks of dynamite were found during a house clearance on Tuesday, September 1.
The explosives were discovered as the contents of a property were being removed following the death of its owner.
Emergency services, including police and bomb disposal experts, responded to the incident at 5.28pm, with officers quickly establishing a cordon and asking residents to remain in their homes while the situation was assessed.
Specialist Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams confirmed that the box found at the address contained viable dynamite. The explosives were safely transported from the scene for controlled detonation at a secure location.
Police have stated that initial enquiries suggest the discovery was made during the routine clearance of the property and that there is no evidence of any wider threat to the public or criminal intent linked to the find.
A statement from Wigan and Leigh Police said: “At 5.28pm officers responded to a report of a box containing what was believed to be dynamite which had been discovered in a property on Pennington Road in Leigh.
“A small cordon was put in place at the address and residents were asked to remain in their homes while the items were assessed.
“Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experts attended and confirmed the box contained several sticks of viable dynamite.
“The decision was made to transport the explosives to a safe location where controlled detonations can be carried out.
“Initial enquiries indicate the item was discovered during the clearance of a property following the death of the occupant.
“There is currently no information to suggest any wider threat to the public or any criminal intent connected to the discovery.”