Residents were swiftly evacuated from their homes as police and military bomb disposal teams descended on a residential street in Liverpool before a massive explosion shook the area. Douglas Road in Anfield was sealed off as Merseyside Police and army personnel swarmed the scene following the discovery of a suspicious powder in a house linked to an ongoing investigation into human remains found in a St Helens flat. Soldiers in protective gear from a bomb disposal unit were on site, and a white powder was confirmed to be part of the investigation.
A convoy, including police vehicles and the explosive ordnance disposal team van, left the area quickly around 4:30 pm, transporting the powder for a controlled detonation. The controlled explosion took place in an open area near Otterspool Promenade. Eyewitnesses reported a significant police presence and were asked to clear the vicinity for safety measures.
Merseyside Police had been monitoring the house on Douglas Road for weeks as part of a broader investigation connected to the discovery of human remains in St Helens earlier in the year. Nearby residents described seeing soldiers in full protective gear and witnessed evidence bags being removed from the property. Approximately 20 properties were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service also responded to the incident to support the police operation. Detective Inspector Dave Jones emphasized the complexity of the investigation and the need for a thorough forensic search. Police were also present at another location in St Helens, Moss Bank, linked to the human remains case. George Gordon, a resident of Gerards Court, has been charged in connection with the investigation and appeared in court earlier in the month.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to gather evidence and conduct searches at multiple locations related to the case.