The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team have been dealing with a major incident when chemicals were found inside a property on the A259 Marina, St Leonards, on Thursday afternoon.
At the time the chemicals were deemed ‘explosive’ and ‘posed a threat to life’.
This afternoon, the EOD team has successfully removed the desensitised chemicals from the house and has carried out a controlled burn in a skip near the sea wall on this morning.
Sussex Police has confirmed that the 100 metre cordon must remain in place while a large amount of chemicals still within the house are being assessed.
This means that a decision to reduce the cordon will be made this evening.
Around 500 additional cannisters have been found during an investigation.
They contained ‘unknown chemicals’, although these are not considered to be explosive, the police force has said.
They will be tested and assessed by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and national specialists following the completion of the EOD’s search.
Investigations are ongoing however, from evidence gathered so far, there is no indication that the 28-year-old man arrested intended to cause harm either to himself of anybody else.
He has been detained under the Mental Health Act while enquiries continue.
Chief Inspector James Scott said: “Partner agencies are working as efficiently as swiftly as possible, keeping public safety as the priority, to bring this incident to a safe conclusion and allow a return to normality.
“To hasten the process, a mutual aid request has led to fire and rescue colleagues from Kent, Essex, Cambridgeshire and Oxfordshire working alongside East Sussex Fire and Rescue colleagues at the scene.
“We continue to liaise closely with the organisers of the half marathon to support all available options to enable this to go ahead.
“We remain grateful for your understanding, patience and support during this time and further updates will be provided as soon as they are available.”
Source link
[Featured]
[Just In]
