Dozens of residents in Preston were forced to evacuate their homes yesterday (October 22) after police discovered “potentially explosive material” at a property in the Ingol area.

The discovery was made after officers executed a pre-planned warrant at an address on Cottam Avenue around 2pm. Inside the home, police found what they described as “items of concern,” including a number of highly powerful, homemade firework-type devices.

Due to the extreme danger posed by the devices—which police noted went “far beyond the power of those used in organised displays”—a cordon was immediately established, and several nearby properties were evacuated as a safety precaution.

Specialist officers from the Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit were called in to manage the incident. The EOD team successfully rendered the improvised devices safe and removed them from the property.

An 18-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and remains in custody.

Chief Supt Chris Hardy of Lancashire Police thanked the community for their cooperation, stating: “People’s safety was the utmost priority throughout and that is why people living near this address were asked to leave their homes.”

The cordon was lifted after several hours, allowing evacuated residents to return home, though a police presence remained in the area overnight. The police response was a multi-agency effort, also involving the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, the North West Ambulance Service, and Preston City Council.