More than 1,200 homes have been evacuated after a World War Two bomb was discovered.
A cordon was extended to 400 metres in the Southway area of Plymouth, Devon, after advice from military bomb disposal experts.
Southway Youth and Community Centre has been set up as an evacuation centre as tonnes of sand are moved to the scene of the ordnance to keep the device stable.
Around 1,260 homes have been affected so far after the device was found on a building site on Wednesday afternoon.
The Plymouth City Council has said that at this stage, it is not known how long the cordon would need to remain in place, as this would depend on the outcome of the specialist assessment by the Royal Navy Explosives Ordnance Disposal Team.
It is thought residents could spend two nights away from their properties.
It is the latest evacuation caused by bombs dropped in the Second World War on Plymouth.
Plymouth was a primary target during the 'Plymouth Blitz' of 1941 as there were more than 50 bombing attacks on the naval city between 1941 and 1944 killing 1,178 civilians.
A 400-meter exclusion zone was established in Plymouth's Southway district on the recommendation of army explosives specialists
Around 1,260 homes have been affected so far after the device was found on a building site
If you are being evacuated, the council has issued the following advice:
- Where possible leave your windows open
- We also strongly recommend that you turn off the stop tap to isolate water to your property. This may be out in the footpath or an internal stop tap within the property itself. It is also likely that you will lose your water supply whilst the operation is under taken.
- Please take enough clothes and essential items for the next two days. Remember to bring any medications or medical equipment you may need, including walking sticks, frames or mobility aids. Please also take any hygiene items you require, along with essentials for babies and children, such as nappies, formula, bottles, food and comfort items.
- If possible, bring a power pack or charger for mobile phones, hearing aids or other essential devices.
- You are also advised to take important household documents
- Remember any supplies for pets, if needed.
Official records estimate around 2,820 bombs were dropped but up to 10 per cent failed to explode.
Some local schools have been closed as the cordon may have to be extended around the area.
Laura Clarke was evacuated with her 11-year-old son, who was excited by the drama.
She said: 'He is having his own little World War Two story courtesy of the Luftwaffe.'
A local woman said: 'It's scary but when there was a bomb in Keyham all the houses were safe. I am hoping the same thing will happen here.'
Another woman said: 'I feel sorry for the vulnerable people like the elderly. We are okay because we are able to get out and about.'
The council's statement said: 'Residents within the expanded cordon are now being asked to temporarily leave their homes. The Police, with support from partner agencies are in the area to speak directly with affected residents and ensure they have the support they need.
'Anyone who is unable to do so should go to the evacuation centre at Southway Youth and Community Centre, where council staff are available to provide information, practical help and wellbeing support.'
The council added: 'We appreciate this is a worrying situation and we thank residents for their patience and cooperation. Plymouth City Council continues to work closely with the police, the Royal Navy and partner agencies to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone affected. Further updates will be provided as soon as they are available.'
Insp Gareth Hammett, from Devon and Cornwall Police, said the ordnance was a suspected unexploded WW2 device.
He said: 'We do not underestimate the impact and the inconvenience but we'd also like to reassure the public that we're working quickly and closely with our partners to try and bring this incident to a conclusion.
'This is not the first time we've dealt with an incident like this, as you know, in Plymouth. This is all about public safety.
In February 2024, the discovery of a live Nazi warhead in a suburban garden led to one of the largest peacetime evacuations in UK history.
A 500kg unexploded bomb was found in February 2024 by a homeowner digging foundations for a kitchen extension on St Michael Avenue in the Keyham area of Plymouth.
A cordon was extended to 400 metres in the Southway area of Plymouth, Devon. Whilst the council cannot guarantee that the cordon won't be extended further, any decision to do so would be based solely on advice from the Royal Navy UXO specialists
An unexploded World War Two bomb was discovered at a building site in Plymouth earlier this year in January
Approximately 10,320 people and 4,300 properties were affected by the exclusion zone as residents were ordered to evacuate their homes for several days while military experts assessed the device.
Army and Navy explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) experts determined that a controlled explosion on-site would cause catastrophic damage to the surrounding neighbourhood.
Instead, they opted for transporting the live device through narrow residential streets on the back of a truck packed with sand.
The bomb was moved to a ferry slip, loaded onto a vessel, and taken out into the English Channel. It was successfully detonated underwater at 9:51 PM on a Friday, ending a five-day standoff.
Despite the high risk, the event became known for the 'Janner spirit' (a nickname for Plymouth locals). Many residents famously spent their evacuation period in local pubs, with some venues reportedly playing 'bomb-themed' music like Tom Jones' 'Sex Bomb' to lighten the mood.
Following the historic evacuation in early 2024, Devon was hit by two separate unexploded World War Two bombs discovered simultaneously in Plymouth and Exmouth earlier this year.
A 'very large' German SC500 bomb was dredged up during routine maintenance at Exmouth Marina.
The WW2 bomb found in 2024 was transported by military convoy to the sea to be disposed of
A 400-metre (1,300ft) cordon was established, forcing up to 2,000 homes and businesses to evacuate.
This led to Exmouth Beach being closed to the public, as local schools offered emergency supplies (PE kits and lunches) to families unable to return home.
Local officials warned residents to prepare for multiple nights in temporary accommodation
A 50kg German bomb was found at a building site in the Millbay area of Plymouth.
A 100-metre (320ft) cordon was put in place. Residents were 'strongly advised' to leave, and Millbay Academy (a secondary school) was forced to close.
On this occasion, the Royal Navy's bomb disposal team utilised specialist X-ray equipment to determine the safest way to neutralise the device before transport.