A large area of the city centre has been sealed off An explosive device has detonated at a restaurant in Exeter. One person was injured in the explosion at about 1250 BST after a man walked into the Giraffe restaurant in the Princesshay shopping mall. A large area of the city centre is being evacuated and firearms officers have been sent to the scene. A police spokesman said one man was in custody with "slight injuries". He added the possibility of other devices in the area could not be ruled out. Officers are currently evacuating the city's bus station and have extended an exclusion cordon to include the Princesshay centre, Bedford Square, High Street, Queen Street and Paris Street. Bomb disposal experts have been sent to the restaurant. Police have asked stores in the area to retain any CCTV footage in case it is needed at a later date. 'Three explosions' At least one man was injured in the incident, which happened at a time when the recently opened centre would have been crowded with shoppers. No details have been released about the injured man. It's all a bit scary that it happened here

Alison Fewens Juliet Joffe, a director of Giraffe, confirmed to the BBC a "small explosion" had occurred in the restaurant. She said the restaurant was evacuated "quickly and efficiently". Eyewitness Peter Lacey who was in the restaurant with his wife told BBC News: "There were three explosions. It is my impression they sounded more like gunshots than a bomb, like a lightbulb exploding. "They came from a locked toilet." Alison Fewins, 27, from Exeter, was shopping with her friend, Louise Platt, also 27, when the incident happened. Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Ms Fewins said: "We were about three or four shops away when we felt a vibration and heard a noise which we thought was building work. "I am a bit shaken. It's all a bit scary that it happened here." Devon and Cornwall Police said more resources are being sent to the area. Assistant Chief Constable Bob Spencer said: "We are carrying out a careful evacuation of the premises using the police and other emergency services that are at the scene. "We will update the people of Exeter about what has happened as soon as we can. "In the meantime, I'd urge motorists to stay away from the city centre area and road delays are likely." Commenting on reports of the possibility of further devices he told BBC News: "There's always that potential." The £230m Princesshay development officially opened last September. The scheme has been heralded as the biggest single investment in regeneration in the city's history. It contains a mix of shops, restaurants and apartments. Are you in Exeter? Did you witness the explosion or the aftermath? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below: You can also send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.Click here to see terms and conditions At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Name:

Email address:

Town and Country:

Phone number (optional):

Comments:

The BBC may edit your comments and cannot guarantee that all emails will be published.





E-mail this to a friend Printable version Bookmark with: Delicious

Digg

reddit

Facebook

StumbleUpon What are these?