Dramatic explosion as filming for series continues
THIS is the dramatic moment when an explosion ripped through a Cardiff street – as part of an eye-catching stunt for a new TV series.
The blast was detonated on a 1940s London bus for forthcoming Channel 4 drama Jerusalem.
Filming, which has been taking part in the Welsh capital for the past couple of months, has previously seen bombed-out houses and burned-out buildings being constructed in Cardiff Bay.
The latest shoot saw parts of Bute Street converted into a bomb site – complete with the ear-splitting blast on the weekend.
The sound was heard as far away as Barry, prompting concerns on social media from people who had heard the explosion and seen smoke from the scene.
South Wales Police responded by tweeting: “Please be advised that South Wales Police are aware of a loud explosion in the Butetown area of Cardiff. This is a filming location. Nothing to be concerned about.”
Dan Donnelly captured the drama as it happened on Saturday night.
Dan lives on Bute Street, overlooking the set, giving him a perfect bird’s eye view of the shoot.
The footage shows the vintage bus being pulled along slowly until an explosion occurs and a stunt man flies onto a landing mat.
Dan, who works for BEWT Studios in Portland House, which the Jerusalem crew had been using last week, said: “We’ve had the production crew in all week using the banking hall and vaults, so I spent the week with the crew and became very aware of what was going on.
“I live a few doors down from Portland House and have my own access to the rooftop, which has a fantastic view of this part of the street.
“I invited Sue and Dave of Portland House, and Chris and Belinda of CS Properties, to join some of my other friends and I to watch the explosion there.
“We were all well aware of what was coming, but when you feel the blast, when the heat hits you, you still feel excited.
“We were all a little concerned about the windows of Portland House but, thankfully, the crew had boarded up them up beforehand.”
Jerusalem, which stars Keeley Hawes, is set in the aftermath of the Blitz, when a bold and ambitious woman joins the civil service and agrees to spy on her own government.
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