Second blast planned at UK terror suspect's home

A British army bomb disposal team was carrying out a second controlled explosion at the home of a 19-year-old terror suspect today.

Officers from the Explosives Ordnance Disposal team put off plans to do the detonation last night as they awaited the delivery of more sandbags.

They returned to Comb Paddock, a quiet cul-de-sac in the Westbury-on-Trym area of Bristol, England, at 8.30am this morning.

A police spokeswoman said they would have to do some preparation work before they could carry out the explosion.

Detectives were last night granted seven days to hold the teenage suspect, who was named locally as Andrew Ibrahim and said to be a recent Muslim convert. Workmates said he recently started a university course.

The bomb disposal team was initially called to carry out a controlled explosion outside his house, a nondescript 1950s red-brick terrace property, at around 2am yesterday.

Neighbours heard a loud blast and were given letters informing them about the arrest.

About 30 people from Comb Paddock, where Ibrahim lived alone, are still unable to return to their homes after a cordon was extended around the area. Avon and Somerset Police said more evacuations could take place.

Neighbours were originally evacuated on Thursday ahead of the first controlled explosion.

At a press conference, the police, who refused to officially name the suspect, did not rule out further arrests.

Officers now have until 1.40pm next Thursday – a week after his arrest – to hold the man.

Representatives of Bristol’s Muslim community voiced their support for police. Local Muslim leader Farooq Siddique said Ibrahim was “not known” to Bristol’s Muslim community.