Part of London Closed

Part Of London Closed As Huge WWII Bomb Is Found

Army bomb disposal teams have been working through the night

Getty

By Naomi Gordon

Two schools and residents in a North West London suburb have been evacuated as army bomb disposal teams attempt to disarm a suspected 500-lb. World War II bomb found at a building site.

Builders discovered the dustbin-sized explosive on a construction site in Queen's Park in Brent, where a block of luxury flats are currently being built. The exclusion zone around the area is expected to increase by another 300 meters as work to remove the device could take days, according to The Evening Standard.

It's claimed around 50 residents in The Avenue have been evacuated from their homes since yesterday morning (Thursday, March 2) after police were called, and many were moved to a local Holiday Inn where they were provided with pizzas.

It's also being reported that the residents were briefly allowed back into the exclusion zone to collect some of their belongings, as it's still not clear when they will be able to safely return to their property.

Carol Shaw - councillor for Brondesbury Park ward - told the London paper: "The construction firm have been told that it might not be clear for three days as a specific part is needed to safely detonate the bomb.

"It's a major operation and it could be very dangerous, which is worrying."

Superintendent Nigel Quantrell added to The Telegraph: "I would like to thank the community for their continued support as we and our partners deal with this incident.

"I can assure you that we are working very hard resolve the situation. The public's understanding and cooperation is deeply appreciated."

Malorees Junior School and Marylebone Boys' School have been evacuated, Brent council have said, and a rest centre has been erected at St Martin's Church on Mortimer Road, Kensal Green.

The operation to safely remove the device is likely to last until at least Friday afternoon, the council added.