UPDATE: Lowerhouse Lane has now re-opened

 

Police have closed a road in Burnley after a 'grenade' was found in the water.

Lowerhouse Lane has been closed since about 11.30am, after police received reports of a grenade in the canal.

A spokesperson for the police said earlier on Sunday: "Good Afternoon, due to a police incident Lowerhouse Lane Burnley is currently closed.

"Please find an alternative route and we will update once the road reopens.

Later, officers confirmed that a magnet fisher had found what was believed to be a grenade in the water.

The spokesperson added: "We are currently at the scene of an ongoing incident near the bridge and canal under Lowerhouse Lane, Burnley.

"We were called around 11.20am today (Sunday 15 January) to a report an item, possibly a grenade, had been found in the water by a magnet fisher.

"Officers are currently at the scene, along with the Expolosive Ordanance Disposal team whilst the item is assessed.

"A cordon is in place.

"We are asking people to avoid the area for now and we will update you in due course."

Later on Sunday, after police reopened the road they provided this update: "Earlier we told you about some road closures due to an incident on Lowerhouse Lane, Burnley.

"We're now in a position to provide an update.

"At around 11.20am we were called to a report that an item, possibly a grenade, had been found in the water by a magnet fisher.

"Officers, accompanied by the Explosive Ordinance Disposal team attended and assessed the item.

"The team confirmed that though it was a genuine grenade, it was not live or viable and so of no wider threat to the public.

"We have now lifted the cordons we had in place whilst we investigated and want to thank the public for their cooperation.

"It goes without saying that though the grenade in this instance was not viable, we would ask fishers to exercise caution and due care when handling objects, such as suspected World War II bombs.

"Please always call us as a matter of urgency when found and do not move them once placed.

"These instances can be extremely dangerous, as well as resource intensive for our response officers and we want to make sure they are handled safely and efficiently."