David Burrows on the explosion which ripped through the heart of Shrewsbury town centre on Sunday, January 3.

The scene in Shrewsbury after the explosion. Picture by reader Tim Fox

For many people, Sunday, January 3 was a last chance to get out into Shrewsbury town centre to maybe grab one final bargain in the sales or enjoy Sunday lunch before returning to work after the Christmas break.

The town was bustling, although less busy than just a few days earlier, when festive celebrations were in full swing. But shortly after 11.20am the relative peace of the cold, crisp winter’s morning was shattered in terrifying fashion by an explosion which rocked the heart of the town.

Suddenly Shrewsbury was once more thrown into the national spotlight as television cameras and reporters descended on the town.
Emergency services poured into the area. Shop, bar and restaurant owners spoke of their buildings being shaken by the blast.
Some showed evidence of blown-out windows and even, in some cases, the very fabric of their buildings being knocked out of alignment.

People in the Quarry enjoying a stroll and walking dogs heard the explosion, as did people living as far afield as St Michael’s Street to the north east and Belle Vue to the south east.

Naturally, the rumour-mill was soon up and running.

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