Loud bangs were 'controlled demolition' - police

Loud explosions heard in Sheffield on Sunday morning were part of a planned chimney demolition, South Yorkshire Police has confirmed.

Several chimneys at a site on Clay Wheels Lane were demolished at about 08:00 GMT and the noises were "nothing to worry about," a force spokesperson said.

One resident, who did not know the demolition was due to take place, said her "whole house was literally shaking" and the sound was "worrying".

Stannington councillor Penny Baker said she understood many residents had not been informed of the plans to demolish the towers.

Rachel Gordon, from Oughtibridge, said she had heard an "enormous loud explosion followed by a few others".

She said she feared her house would fall down and her neighbour had run outside fearful that his house had also been damaged.

"Now that we know what it is I'm relieved," she said.

A Middlewood resident, who asked not to be named, said she heard an "industrial type alarm and a small bang" followed by "two huge explosions".

She said: "It shook the house and rattled the windows and I saw all the birds fly out of the trees.

"It was frightening, both my children who had been asleep came running in, my daughter thought it was a gas explosion at someone's house.

"We went into the street with other residents but no one knew what was going on."

Ms Baker said she believed the owner of the towers had made "some attempt" to notify residents but many were unaware.

She said: "There were a few people in the village who were notified. But it did frighten people on a Sunday morning."

The sounds had "caused some panic," she added.

In a statement, police said the sounds came from "a controlled explosion to demolish chimneys at Clay Wheels Lane".

"The demolition took place around 08:00 GMT. Officers were not involved," they said.

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