Superintendent Matt Ebbs has provided further detail on the circumstances leading up to this morning’s explosion in Bristol.
He said police were first called at 6.17am to a “domestic-related incident” at residential address in Sterncourt Road.
As officers were on their way to the scene, an explosion occurred at around 6.30am inside the property, killing a man and a woman.
Three people – a man, a woman and a child – were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
It is understood the incident was contained to this address, with no reported injuries elsewhere.
The force has reiterated the incident is being treated as “suspicious” but not terror-related, and officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with it.
A cordon was put in place to protect the public and allow immediate enquiries at the scene, and remains in place while investigations continue, with specialist searches carried out by the British Army’s explosive ordnance disposal unit as a precaution.
People living within the cordon were evacuated to a temporary rest centre, with police thanking them for their cooperation.
Police say the cordon is expected to remain until at least this evening.
Enquiries are also ongoing at a separate address in the Speedwell area, linked to the man who died. No evacuations have been required at that location.
Supt Ebbs described the case as a “complex and sensitive investigation”, adding that updates will be provided as more information becomes available.