BBCA planned controlled explosion in a housing estate where a suspected World War II bomb was discovered is causing “great fear”, a local resident said.
Stephanie O’Fee lives very close to the site in Newtownards, County Down, where the 500 kg explosive device was found.
Her The house is one of 400 houses in the Rivenwood housing development who were evacuated by the police on Sunday for an expected five days.
“It’s a big concern, what will become of the old house? Will much of the house still be standing?” Ms O’Fee said.
Houses within 400 m evacuated
Police have not yet confirmed what type of explosives were used, but Belfast and its surrounding areas were heavily bombed by Germany in 1941.
Remnants of World War II munitions are still being found throughout Northern Ireland, but they rarely cause such major disruption to those living nearby.
Speaking to the BBC’s Good Morning Ulster, Ms O’Fee said the situation was “very, very nerve-wracking”.
“My house is very close by, so of course there are concerns – what damage will be done to our homes?” she said.
The Newtownards resident has lived in Rivenwood for two years and said it was her first home.
She said she noticed police cars in the settlement on Friday, but only learned of the evacuation plan when an officer knocked on her door at around 8 p.m. (CEST) on Saturday.
She and her neighbors were told that all homes and businesses within a 400-meter radius had to be evacuated by 10 a.m. Sunday.
A police leaflet distributed to residents stated that a “significant item of historical explosive devices” had been found in the settlement.
Blair Mayne Leisure Centre in Ards has been set up as an emergency support centre for affected residents.
“I asked the police, ‘What can we do to secure our homes and prepare them as best as possible to ensure their safety?'” Ms O’Fee said.
“To be honest, we haven’t communicated very well, but I understand they’re in a difficult situation.”
Ms O’Fee, who starts a new job on Monday, had to quickly find a place to stay herself and also organize temporary accommodation for her two cats.
“It was a big change, but of course there are people who are affected much worse than me,” she said.
“Fortunately, I don’t have small children or anything like that, but I can’t imagine the stress that young families have trying to find a place to live.”
Democratic Unionist Party MP Jim Shannon told BBC News NI that if the bomb went off it would be “devastating”.
“The army’s bomb disposal unit will be very proactive and very positive. Their job is to ensure safety and to enable people to return to their homes as quickly as possible,” he said.
After speaking to residents, Ulster Unionist Party MP Mike Nesbitt said: “One of the biggest problems is pets.”
“Many people are still in Rivenwood considering whether to break through the police cordon because they are concerned about their pets in the short term,” he said.
From the scene: A time of excitement and upheaval
By BBC News NI reporter Kevin Sharkey
Families who have been forced to flee their homes continue to make emergency arrangements.
It is clearly a time of excitement and turmoil, and many residents are wondering when they will be allowed to return to their homes.
Different families have to cope with many different and sometimes difficult situations, including caring for elderly relatives and children with special needs.
Within the very wide cordon, extensive preparations are still underway for the defusal of the bomb later this week.
