Households hit by blast scare are now home

HOUSEHOLDS evacuated as an Army bomb squad investigated “a number of suspicious items” in a former pit village have been allowed to return to their homes.

Around 130 homes were cleared around an address in Grimethorpe, Barnsley, on Wednesday after police executed a warrant in Brierley Road, with officers saying it could be 72 hours before they were allowed back.

But yesterday South Yorkshire Police said the cordon had been reduced to include only three houses and all other residents had been allowed back.

Two people arrested in connection with the incident remain in custody. The force said a 58-yearman was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of offences under the Firearms Act and a 57-yearold woman was arrested later on the same day on suspicion of offences under the same act.

A spokesman said the houses had been evacuated “while emergency services continue their response after a number of suspicious items were found at an address in Brierley Road”.

The Army’s explosive ordnance disposal team had been deployed to the scene, he said.

Nick Murray, whose grandmother Margaret Bird, 84, of Silkstone, is staying at Mapleton Court care home, said she was in danger of being evacuated because she was within the 100-metre zone.

"She has only been there two weeks and we thought she might have to be evacuated but thankfully she was able to remain at the home,” he said. “It caused a lot of worry and uncertainty but thankfully it’s all over now.”

Meanwhile, Barnsley Council leader Sir Steve Houghton said the community response had been “brilliant”. Speaking at the parish church of St Luke’s in the village, which was set up as a rest centre for evacuated residents, he said the council had been inundated with offers of help from people.