3 months ago
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The 6.30am blast killed the young mum and her ex.
12:40, Tue, May 5, 2026 Updated: 12:52, Tue, May 5, 2026
Views of a property at Sterncourt Road Bristol, Tuesday 5 May 2026 where a major incident has bee (Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach Plc)
A deadly house explosion, which killed a mum in her home, was caused by a “grenade attack” detonated by her estranged ex-lover, neighbours have claimed. The man was also killed in the horror incident that rocked a quiet suburban street in Bristol.
Neither of them have yet been officially identified. It is understood the woman’s son and two other family members who suffered minor injuries in the blast have now been discharged after receiving hospital treatment.
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Police confirmed that shortly before the explosion, they had received a call to attend a “domestic-related incident” on Sunday morning.
Neighbour Wayne Smith, 58, a carpenter, said: “He’s turned up at her house with a grenade and detonated it on the doorstep and killed the pair of them.”
A house explosion which killed two people in Bristol was caused by a ''hand grenade set off by an ex (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)
Mr Smith and others living in the square felt their homes shake when the blast hit at about 6.30am on Sunday.
He said: “At first when I heard the boom I thought it was a gas explosion or even a huge car crash. I could feel the whole house shake.”
It is understood the woman had only recently moved into the street in a bid to escape from her ex-boyfriend following their break-up.
Friends paid tribute to the victim, who was said to work at a tanning salon. One called her “the most amazing woman I’ve ever known”.
The friend, who asked not to be named, told The Sun: “Last week she sounded so happy that she was finally safe and free from her ex.”
A house explosion which killed two people in Bristol was caused by a ''hand grenade set off by an ex (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)
An explosion occurred inside the property at about 6.30am on Sterncourt Road, Bristol – leaving police and emergency services scrambling to the scene.
The force said they were not looking for anyone in connection with the incident, although the investigation was at an early stage.
In a statement on Sunday afternoon, Superintendent Matt Ebbs said: “A woman and a man have died at the address and we’re treating the explosion as suspicious.
“Their families have been updated and are being supported by specially trained officers. Our thoughts are very much with them.”
He added that a cordon was put in place to protect the public and to allow inquiries to be carried out at the scene.
Emergency services remain at the scene, where a man and a woman died (Image: Ben Birchall/PA Wire)
He added: “This included specialist searches carried out by the British Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal, as a precaution.
“People living within the cordon were evacuated to a temporary rest centre, and we want to thank them for their ongoing cooperation and understanding.
“We fully recognise how disruptive this has been for them, and to manage expectations, we think the cordon will remain in place until at least the evening, and we’ll continue to provide updates where we can.
“Public safety will always be our priority and we’ll reduce the cordon as soon as it’s safe for people to return to their homes.”
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