Homes evacuated after amateur fireworks discovery in Mickleover

Police have evacuated 30 homes in Derby after material used to make amateur fireworks was found during a house clearance.

Derbyshire Police said the material was discovered on Wednesday afternoon by the family of a man who had recently died, while they were clearing the property in Clifton Drive.

The force said the man had an interest in fireworks but confirmed the material had not been used in any criminality.

Nearby residents were asked to leave their homes as specialists examined the scene.

Police said people had been allowed to return to all but the neighbouring two houses on Wednesday night after the situation was deemed safe.

However, police said the same 30 homes were again evacuated on Thursday morning as a precaution while emergency services and officers from the Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) division cleared the property.

A police spokesperson said: “While all teams are working as quickly to resolve the situation as possible, we also must ensure the safety of all those at the scene – and the local community – and there is no timeframe at this moment for how long the incident may last.

“Those affected by the evacuation will be updated as soon as they are able to return to their homes.”