Homes evacuated as German war firebombs found in Penarth garden

South Wales Argus

2 days ago

Four unexploded incendiary bombs have been discovered in Penarth.
Incendiary bombs are weapons designed to start fires. They contain flammable substances like napalm, thermite, or magnesium that ignite upon impact or after a delay.
Their primary purpose is to cause widespread fire damage to buildings, equipment, and sometimes people, rather than to destroy through explosive force alone.
Unexploded German firebombs in a Penarth garden (Image: South Wales Police) Residents and businesses near Plassey Street, Penarth were asked to leave the area earlier today around 1pm.
A cordon was quickly put in place and specialist bomb disposal police were sent out to keep residents safe whilst a deactivation team was sent from Kent.
South Wales Police said: 'We were called just before 1.30pm today with a report of unexploded ordnance having been found in a garden in Plassey Street Penarth.
'As a precaution there is a cordon in place and around 50 homes within the cordon are being evacuated, again as a precautionary measure while the devices are examined and made safe.'
Glebe Street Penarth where specialist bomb police were sent (Image: NQ) The cordon was in place for over two hours and residents were moved to Cogan Leisure Centre where refreshments were available. Affected streets included Glebe Street, and Salop Street.
On our scene reporter was informed that the bombs were discovered between Salop Street and Glebe Street after groundworks were carried out in a local garden.
An excavator supposedly dug up the bombs near a garden close to local business Penarth Nails.
Now South Wales Police have updated locals that the bombs have been successfully disposed of.
Penarth where specialist bomb police were sent (Image: NQ) Police said: 'They were found to be three German WW2 incendiary bombs.
'Cordons have been lifted, and residents have been allowed home.
'We would like to thank the Bomb Disposal Specialists for their assistance and the public for their patience and understanding while we dealt with this incident.'
Glebe Street Penarth where specialist bomb police were sent (Image: The Bike Shop Penarth) In the UK, the most commonly discovered World War II bombs are unexploded German bombs, often referred to as UXBs (Unexploded Bombs).
These are typically remnants from the Blitz and other bombing raids carried out by the Luftwaffe between 1940 and 1945.
During this time Penarth's busy docks and strategic proximity to Cardiff's docks and steelworks made it a recurring target of German air raids from 1941 through 1945
In March 1941, over 150 high explosive bombs, and more than 5,000 incendiaries fell on Penarth devastating buildings including All Saints' Church, Holy Nativity, and houses on Clive Place, Glebe Street, Salop Street.