A suspected unexploded Second World War bomb has been discovered in a building site in Brondesbury Park.
London Fire Brigade and the Metropolitan Police are on the scene in The Avenue after they were called at around 11.50am.
There are a total of two fire engines and 14 firefighters from West Hampstead station assisting with the disposal.
Buildings in the area have been evacuated, police cordons are in place and roads have been closed.
We will bring you live updates below.
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Key Events
Update
The exclusion zone has been extended and more schools closed.
For the latest updates, head to our new blog for day two of the coverage here:
Blog closes
We are now bringing our blog to a close.
To read our latest article on the events from today, just click here.
Army arrives on site
Here is our latest update on the suspected unexploded bomb incident as the army arrive on the site.
Rest centre for residents at St Martin's church
A rest centre for residents in the Willesden Lane area has been set up by Brent council as emergency services continue to deal with a suspected unexploded WWII bomb discovered at a building site at The Avenue.
St Martin’s Church on Mortimer Road, Kensal Green, one mile away, has opened its doors to those evacuated.
Buses are also ready to transport people back to their homes once the situation has been evaluated by the army, who are believed to be on their way to the site, the council has confirmed.
A 200 metre cordon remains in place and two schools in the area Malorees Junior School and Marylebone Boys’ School – have been evacuated.
Road closures are also in place and people have been advised to avoid the area.
Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, said:
Council officers are currently making arrangements for our residents in the Willesden Lane area to make their way to a rest centre where they will be looked after until it is safe to return to their homes.
I would like to thank these residents who have shown great patience during this time. We will continue to provide updates on the situation as soon as they come through.”
Reception area opened to assist people affected
A reception area has been opened by Brent Council to assist people affected by the evacuation in place.
Police in Brent said the situation is ongoing and specialist officers continue to deal with the suspected WWII bomb.
The Metropolitan Police said they were called just after 11.30am today to NW6 after a suspected WWII ordnance was discovered at a building site.
A school, a nursery and nearby residences have been evacuated as a precaution, the police confirmed.
Cordons have been put in place and there are road closures in the area.
Motorists are advised to avoid the local area.
A reception area has been opened by the local authority to assist those affected.”
Size of bomb
This picture puts into perspective the size of the suspected explosive and why the necessary precautions have been put in place
Brent Superintendent on suspected WW2 bomb
Superintendent Nigel Quantrell of Brent Borough, said:
I would like to thank the community for their continued support as we and our partners deal with this incident.
I can assure you that we are working very hard resolve the situation.
The public’s understanding and cooperation is deeply appreciated.”
Primary school evacuated
London Fire Brigade have confirmed that a school, nursery and homes have been evacuated.
Station managed Jerome Kumedzina, who is at the scene, said: “Police have put safety cordons in place and there are local road closures so motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible.
“A school, nursery and nearby homes have been evacuated as a precaution and the local authority has set up a reception centre to assist those people affected.”
Video emerges from the scene
We have received this video from the scene which shows emergency services cordoning off the area.
Picture of the potential bomb released
London Fire Brigade have shared this picture of the potential bomb found in a construction site near Brondesbury Park station.
Army have been called
A suspected unexploded WW2 bomb found near the jct of #WillesdenLane. Army are on their way, residents advised to avoid area #brentalerts
— Brent Council (@Brent_Council) March 2, 2017
This is the latest from Brent Council, posted around 20 minutes ago.
They confirmed that the army had been called to deal with the incident.
Road closures in place
Unexploded WW2 bomb found on building site.The Avenue and Christchurch avenue closed between Willesden lane and brondesbury park.
— Danielle Davey (@deedeein81) March 2, 2017
Police have cordoned off parts of the area and there are reports that The Avenue and Christchurch Avenue are closed between Willesden lane and Brondesbury Park.
We will keep bringing you updates as soon as we get them.
Emergency services called this morning
London Fire Brigade said they were called to the scene this morning and are assisting police in dealing with the suspected unexploded bomb.
Here is a statement from the fire service: “The Brigade is currently assisting police at the scene of a suspected world war two bomb on a building site on The Avenue in Brondesbury Park, NW6.”
“Police have put cordons in place and there are road closures in the area.”
