London Jewish school evacuated due to WWII bomb
Unexploded German ordnance uncovered by workers at construction site, army and cops place cordon around site
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A London Jewish school was closed Friday after the discovery of an unexploded World War II bomb at a nearby construction site.
The North West London Jewish Day School was one of 27 schools, nurseries and parent and toddler groups within a 300 meter cordon that police set up around the 500 pound (227 kilogram) ordnance. People living near the site in Brondesbury were asked to leave their homes.
According to the London Fire Brigade Station Manager Jerome Kumedzina “police have put safety cordons in place and there are local road closures so motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible. A school, nursery and nearby homes have been evacuated as a precaution.”
The operation to clear the bomb began Thursday morning, continued overnight and is expected to last throughout today, with residents warned that they will not be able to return home until at least Friday afternoon.
We're continuing to help the police & army deal with a WW2 bomb in #Brent. Avoid the area if you can https://t.co/msZPrDUQiP © @ArmyInLondon pic.twitter.com/Hizub6s3f8
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) March 3, 2017
The German bomb was found on Thursday by construction workers clearing the site in preparation for putting up an apartment block.
Superintendent Nigel Quantrell of Brent Borough, said: “I would like to thank the community for their continued support as we and our partners deal with this incident. I can assure you that we are working very hard resolve the situation. The public’s understanding and cooperation is deeply appreciated.”
A cordon is being extended to 300m after 9am for work to defuse a suspected WW2 bomb in Brondesbury Park, north-west London. #HeartNews pic.twitter.com/Y9xnXDaBRH
— Essex News (@HeartEssexNews) March 3, 2017
Almost 300 students from North West School were instructed not to attend school today. The evacuated area borders on the Brondesbury Synagogue and members offered hospitality to those affected.
Wtf!! Unexploded bomb at brondesbury ???? I'm assuming all sorted as that was at 8:20! pic.twitter.com/be7vm59AUN
— Fabs (@Fab187) March 3, 2017
London was heavily bombed in the war, especially during the Blitz of 1940 and 1941 which concentrated on civilian and industrial targets. Unexploded devices are still occasionally uncovered.
Some residents living near the site spent the night in a local church while the engineers worked.
The Times of Israel Community.