Homes evacuated after 'WW2 bomb' found by builders - then cops make discovery

Dozens of residents were forced to flee their homes after builders unearthed what was feared to be a WWII bomb.

The drama unfolded in Old Trafford on Friday afternoon (September 13), with the bomb squad rushing to Wood Road North shortly after 1pm.

Locals were told they had just 'five minutes' to get out as cops ordered an evacuation within a 100-metre radius. The scare also spread to nearby Ruskin Road and Plumbley Drive, where more households were instructed to leave.

However, the panic subsided when it turned out the object was not explosive, with some residents being informed it was merely a 'metal rod'. Greater Manchester Police gave the all-clear at about 3.30pm, declaring the 'device' non-threatening and lifting the cordon.

Muhammad Ashraf, 69, a resident of Wood Road North, recounted to the M. E, reports the Manchester Evening News.

"They said they found a bomb. The police blocked this area. We had to leave the house within five minutes. Everybody from this area was moved.

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"It's scary, it's very scary. We weren't allowed to come back, even for medicine."

Agata, another local who lives near the scene, noticed the commotion around 1pm, saying: "I came outside because I saw so many police cars and heard the sirens."

A local woman was thrown into a frenzy when her neighbour informed her that his builder had stumbled upon what seemed to be a bomb. "My neighbour told me his builder found what looks like a bomb. I was panicking because I was next door. I've got three grandkids out playing in the garden and I was cooking. I just grabbed the keys and went."

She described the ordeal as very frightening, adding, "It was very scary," and noting the sudden proximity of danger, "You think it happens somewhere else, not here. When it happens at your doorstep it's not actually funny."

On the other side of the road, Steven, who resides in an apartment building opposite to where the alarming find was located, detailed that all nearby homes were cleared out. He shared: "I think it was just something of nothing. It was a bit of an anti-climax."

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) reported receiving calls concerning a 'suspicious device' found on Wood Road North approximately at 1pm. The explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) team was dispatched immediately, and a safety cordon stretching 100 metres was established.

The GMP informed that several local dwellings were evacuated 'as a precaution', urging residents to steer clear of the vicinity and pursue alternative travel paths with bus services being rerouted from the shut-off section of the road.

By roughly 3.30pm, the situation appeared to be under control as GMP confirmed the lifting of the cordon. Via a post on X, previously known as Twitter, they announced: "Today, emergency services responded to an ongoing incident Wood Road North in Old Trafford."

With relief, they clarified, "It has been confirmed that the device that was found is not viable. This incident has now been stood down and a cordon has been lifted."

Conclusively, the force appreciated the public's cooperation, saying, "Thank you for your understanding."