Explosion expected at high school

Bomb disposal teams could carry out a controlled explosion at a high school today.

The blast could take place at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Wakefield city centre, after an alert over dangerous science lab chemicals.

Wakefield Council said in a statement: “At some point today it is possible that residents living near to QEGS may hear a loud noise resulting from a controlled explosion.

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“As you may have seen on the news, similar controlled explosions have taken place at a number of schools across the country.

“The Police and the Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team have been called to the school purely as a precautionary measure - to see if a controlled explosion is necessary.

“If a small controlled explosion is required the EOD Team will carry it out today.

“The team will take measures to minimise the noise, however residents should be aware that they may still hear a noise. This is nothing to be alarmed about and there is no risk to residents or buildings.”

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Police and army teams also carried out blasts at St Wilfrid’s Catholic High School in Featherstone and Hemsworth Academy last week.

It followed a government safety warning issued over a chemical called 2,4-DNPH.

The chemical, often used in chemistry lessons, can become hazardous if not stored correctly.