Published: Thursday, 13th November, 2008 09:00
Bomb alert after suspect box found - update
By Adam Hewitt
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HOUSEHOLDERS were on high alert on Tuesday after suspected Second World War explosives were discovered.
But army bomb disposal experts from RAF Northolt called to the scene in Mays Lane, Earley, found the contents of an unearthed munitions box were harmless chemicals thought to be used to fill fire extinguishers during the war.
The incident was reported by Earley Town Council workers, who were doing excavation works, just after 1pm on Tuesday, and the road and adjoining cemetery were sealed off all afternoon.
Lee Ferris, who lives nearby, said: “My dad had heard from my uncle that it might be a bomb or a gas leak so I was worried about my house but luckily it doesn’t seem to have been dangerous.”
Sgt Roger Smith, of 621 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron of the Royal Logistics Corps, declared the scene safe by 6pm and his unit took the munitions box away with them.
He said: “We found seven bottles, and three unbroken bottles, of the liquid. We couldn’t discover at the scene exactly what it is, but our best guess is that it’s from the Second World War era, either a chemical testing kit of some kind or vials to fill fire extinguishers.”
The bomb disposal team – joined by police, fire, and ambulances crews as a standard response to a major incident – scattered a yellow, powdery decontaminant over the area where the munitions box was found.
Earley Town Council’s maintenance team had been digging the footings for a new tractor shed when they uncovered the briefcase-sized box, and contacted the emergency services in case it contained live ammunition.
Sgt Nigel Pratt, from Loddon Valley station, said: “There was no risk to the public and nobody was hurt, it was very much a precaution in case it was any kind of explosive device.”
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