Millbay Acadamy was evacuated after a suspected device was found at a nearby building site
08:08, 15 Jan 2026Updated 08:18, 15 Jan 2026
A school inside the bomb evacuation zone in Millbay has confirmed it will remain closed all day while work to remove the device continues.
A suspected bomb was found at a building site in Martin Street on Wednesday, January 14.
Emergency services, including the Royal Navy's Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, were called to the scene and a 400m cordon is in place around the site.
The cordon was expanded from its initial 100m on Wednesday afternoon, meaning a number of residential properties, as well as a school and hotel, were advised to evacuate.
Devon and Cornwall Police were called to the site at 11.40am and roads were closed, with Royal Navy bomb disposal experts also dispatched to the scene after a 'small device' was found.
Bomb disposal experts said the device was not able to be made safe on Wednesday night after darkness fell and due to the need for more equipment. As a result, the operation was paused and is set to continue on Tuesday, January 15.
Millbay Acadamy, which is within 100m of the building site, has confirmed to parents and pupils that it will remain closed today while explosive experts work to remove the device.
In a statement shared to Facebook on Wednesday night, the school said: "Thank you once again to our school community for your continued patience and support.
"Following advice from the authorities, Millbay Academy will be closed tomorrow and students will move to remote learning.
"Please check your Arbor App messages and emails for the full 8pm update and all remote learning information.
"We will share further updates from 9am tomorrow."
Devon and Cornwall Police stated that more people are likely to be evacuated tomorrow (Thursday, January 15) as they continue their operation. A spokesperson said: "There may be an additional evacuation of a small number of properties tomorrow. At this stage, we do not know which properties will be affected or the exact timing.
"We will share further details as soon as they are confirmed."
Emergency services are also at the scene of a second suspected bomb site in Exmouth, after a device was pulled from Exmouth Marina.
Homes and buisnesses in the surrounding area were also evacuated and asked to stay with friends and family overnight.