Two people who died following an explosion in Bristol have been named locally as Ryan Kelly and his ex-partner Joanne Shaw. The blast occurred at Sterncourt Road at around 6.30am on Sunday, May 3.
Neighbours describe shock
Neighbour Stuart Blanchard said: 'I'd heard the shouting before while having breakfast, something like 'get out, get out' but there's something every week in this area so I didn't go out. Then there was a bang, it shook my front door. But my friend heard the kicking so went over. I thought it was a gas explosion so stayed inside.'
'The police were here in seconds. They were called before the explosion. Another friend said he saw the police giving Jo CPR but when the explosives team arrived they had to leave in case there were more explosions. It was awful for them.'
Stuart added: 'It's a shock for everyone because they were a really nice family, I cannot believe it has happened. They were not what you would consider would cause problems. She has been here quite a while, at least three years.'
More witness accounts
Michael Gwyther, who recognised Mr Kelly, said: 'I heard a blast, I thought someone was trying to kick through the door. It was frightening and it set the dog right off.'
Kwestan Ahmed said: 'I heard screaming and shouting but I'm not sure if it was them or the police. I thought the bang was a car crash, I'd never think it could be a bomb.'
John Sparkes described those living in the house as a 'lovely family. They were a lovely family and were always out in the garden.'
Police response
On the day of the incident, Avon and Somerset Police declared a major incident. A statement said: '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.'
'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.'
