03/05/2026
Thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the deceased and community at this difficult time.
DRG Frenchay AFC
10.45pm
Extensive searches after an explosion at a property in Sterncourt Road have been completed and the area declared safe.
The cordon has now been significantly reduced and almost all residents can return home. Bristol City Council is helping a small number of people who live in a much smaller area that needs to remain cordoned off for our investigation.
We recognise people have been away from their homes for a significant period of time and we're grateful for their patience.
We’d like to thank our emergency service colleagues, the British Army, council staff and volunteers for their support.
No further updates are planned tonight.
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8pm
Officers are still working with Bristol City Council to support residents evacuated from the area around Sterncourt Road, Bristol.
We wish to reassure people the cordon remains in place as a precaution.
Residents' safety is our priority. We’ll reduce the cordon as soon as we can.
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4.15pm
Supt Matt Ebbs has delivered a statement to the media which can be read in full here: https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/news/2026/05/updated-statement-on-response-to-major-incident-after-explosion-at-property/
We fully recognise how disruptive this incident is for residents.
To manage expectations, we think the cordon will need to remain in place into the evening, at least, and we’ll continue to provide updates when we can.
Public safety will always be our priority and we’ll reduce the cordon as soon as it’s safe for people to return to their homes.
While our enquiries remain at an early stage, at this point we’re not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.
We know this incident will be of great concern to those living in the affected communities. Our Neighbourhood Policing Teams will be carrying out patrols to provide reassurance and advice.
If anyone is worried or concerned, please speak to an officer.
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3.40pm
The cordon in the vicinity of Sterncourt Road remains in place at the moment as a safety precaution due to the nature of the earlier incident.
Officers remain at the scene and are continuing to work with Bristol City Council to support evacuated residents.
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1.05pm
We'd like to thank residents for their continued patience while we work with emergency services colleagues and Bristol City Council in response to this incident.
Public safety is our priority and therefore a cordon remains in place at this time.
We'll continue to share key updates.
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11.15am:
A cordon remains in place while emergency services respond to an incident in Bristol.
An explosion was reported at a residential address in Sterncourt Road at about 6.30am today (Sunday 3 May).
The cause of the incident is being treated as suspicious, and a major incident has been declared.
Two adults have died at the address and their families have been updated. Emergency services are following well-rehearsed plans in response to this incident.
Our enquiries are at an early stage, but at this point we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.
The cordon has been put in place as a precaution to help keep the public safe. People living within that cordon are therefore being evacuated to a temporary rest centre. There is not believed to be any significant damage to other properties.
Officers are also carrying out enquiries at a property in Speedwell linked to this incident.
Given the recent change to the UK threat level, we would like to reassure the public from the outset we are not treating this as a suspected terrorist incident.
We ask people not to speculate around the circumstances and continue to encourage the public to avoid the area while emergency services respond to this incident.
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9.45am:
Emergency services remain at the scene and are working together in response to this incident.
Residents who are being evacuated have been taken to a temporary rest centre nearby.
A cordon remains in place.
Further updates will follow.
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8.30am
A cordon has been put in place as emergency services respond to reports of an incident at a house near Frenchay.
People from a small number of properties in Sterncourt Road are being evacuated as a precaution.
We would please ask people to avoid the area at this time.
