More than 60 people have been forced to flee their homes after a fuel tank was mistaken for an unexploded 1,000lbs World War II bomb at a building site.
A 200 metre cordon was put around the fuel tank as bomb disposal experts scrambled to the scene in Peacehaven, East Sussex.
After arriving at the scene at 3pm on Wednesday, it was not until shortly after 8.30am on Thursday that Explosive Ordnance Disposal experts what was believed to be a wartime bomb was actually a disused fuel tank.
Nearby roads were closed throughout Wednesday and into Thursday morning, including the main route in and out of the town, causing travel chaos for residents and holidaymakers.
Police and firefighters helped to evacuate at least 60 people, with pensioners and young children among them, together with officials from the local council.
More than 60 people were forced to flee their homes after an unexploded 1,000lbs World War II bomb was unearthed on a building site in Peacehaven, East Sussex
The bomb was discovered at 3pm on Wednesday but explosive ordnance disposal teams were still at the scene at 8.30am on Thursday
Residents who were rehoused for the night have now been allowed to return home although a number of schools in the area will remain closed for the day.
The A259 South Coast Road has been re-opened and local diversions have been removed as agencies are working together to return the situation back to normal.
Superintendent Jane Derrick, from Sussex Police, said: ‘I’m sure everyone is relieved that this incident has been safely resolved, and I’d like to thank everyone affected for their patience and understanding.
‘In such situations safety is always paramount. Unfortunately no one was able to determine exactly what we were dealing with until painstaking work by bomb disposal experts throughout the night confirmed there was no danger.’
At the time when it was believed the tank was an unexploded bomb, a spokesman for Sussex Police said: ‘The A259 South Coast Road through Peacehaven has been closed to traffic and nearby buildings evacuated after a suspected unexploded Second World War bomb was found shortly before 3pm on Wednesday.
‘The device, possibly containing up to 1,000lbs of high explosive, was unearthed by workers on a building site.’
The A259 South Coast Road through Peacehaven and a number of nearby roads have been closed as bomb disposal units attempt to diffuse the bomb
Chief Superintendent Nick May, of Sussex Police, said: ‘The various agencies involved are doing all they can to resolve the situation as swiftly and as safely as possible.
‘We recognise that it has meant considerable upset for residents – including children and senior citizens – who have had to abandon their homes at short notice, and for motorists faced with delays and diversions to their journeys.
‘We are grateful for people’s patience and understanding in exceedingly trying circumstances, and thank them for their forbearance.
‘Our primary concern throughout has had to be their safety and well-being.’
A 200 metre cordon was put around the massive explosive device as bomb disposal experts scrambled to the scene this morning