'Grenade was detonated by ex-partner' in Bristol house explosion which killed woman at her own home

An explosion which killed a mum at her home was a “grenade attack” by her ex partner, it was claimed yesterday. The man was also killed in the incident. Neither of them have yet been identified. The blast rocked a quiet suburban street in Bristol. It is understood the woman’s son and two other family members suffered minor injuries and after treatment have now left hospital. Police confirmed that shortly before the explosion they had received a call to attend a “domestic-related incident” on Sunday. Neighbour Wayne Smith, 58, a carpenter, said: “He’s turned up at her house with a grenade and detonated it on the doorstep and killed the pair of them.” Mr Smith and others living in the square felt their homes shake when the blast hit at about 6.30am on Sunday. He told The Sun: “At first when I heard the boom I thought it was a gas explosion or even a huge car crash. I could feel the whole house shake.” Friends paid ­tribute to the victim, who was said to work at a tanning salon. One called her “the most amazing woman I’ve ever known”. The pal, who asked not to be named, added: “Last week she sounded so happy that she was finally safe and free from her ex.” But officers arrived, an explosion occurred inside the property at about 6.30am on Sterncourt Road, Bristol – leaving cops and emergency services scrambling to the scene. The force said they were not looking for anyone in connection with the incident although the investigation was at an early stage. In a statement on Sunday afternoon, Superintendent Matt Ebbs said: “A woman and a man have died at the address and we’re treating the explosion as suspicious. “Their families have been updated and are being supported by specially trained officers. Our thoughts are very much with them.” He added: A cordon was put in place to protect the public and to allow inquiries to be carried out at the scene. “This included specialist searches carried out by the British Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal, as a precaution. “People living within the cordon were evacuated to a temporary rest centre, and we want to thank them for their ongoing cooperation and understanding. “We fully recognise how disruptive this has been for them, and to manage expectations, we think the cordon will remain in place until at least the evening, and we’ll continue to provide updates where we can. “Public safety will always be our priority and we’ll reduce the cordon as soon as it’s safe for people to return to their homes.”