Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Derby Cordon Lifted After Century-Old Chemical From Photo Studio Destroyed in Controlled Blast

Police say the find came during routine work involving an unstable legacy chemical.

Overview

  • Army bomb specialists removed the substances and carried out a controlled explosion at Elvaston Castle Country Park, and local leaders said roads have reopened.
  • W. W. Winter Ltd, a long-standing photography studio on Midland Road, reported the discovery among its heritage items after a routine check identified old picric acid.
  • Police put a 100m cordon in place with evacuations and seven road closures, and a nearby school, Castleward Spencer Academy, told staff and pupils to stay inside.
  • Derbyshire Police coordinated the response with the Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, East Midlands Ambulance Service, and Derby City Council.
  • Bus routes were diverted and East Midlands Railway closed its Zone 3 station car park during the operation, and police stressed the measures were precautionary with no criminal matters.