MORE than 100 homes were evacuated last night amid fears a man may have booby-trapped his car before taking his own life.

The man, in his eighties, shot himself last week. Police searched his house after being alerted by his relatives and discovered a large number of detonators and incendiary devices.

Bomb disposal experts were called in to carry out a controlled explosion on his Volvo, parked outside the property, following concerns that more detonators may have been left in the car. A cordon was placed around the property in Chalvington Drive, St Leonards, and neighbours were taken to a nearby school.

Insp Chris Wratten said: "The man had committed suicide using a firearm and when we searched the house we found a large number of incendiary devices

and detonators. "The man's family said they were concerned about what he might have done before he died, so a bomb disposal team was called in."

More than 30 police officers evacuated residents to Little Ridge primary school at 7pm. Hastings Borough Council's emergency plan was put into operation and the WRVS helped look after the dozens of families who were kept away from their homes for almost five hours.

Tony Fry, the director of planning and environmental services for the council, said: "I am delighted with the response. Although we train for this type of incident this is the first time I have ever had to take the emergency plan this far."

Residents of the normally quiet estate spoke of their shock and voiced concerns at the apparent five-day delay between the discovery of the man's body and the operation to find any explosive devices.

Among those taking refuge in the school hall with their pets were Graham and Pat Freebody, of Fairfield Road, St Leonards. Mr Freebody, a bus driver, said: "The man who died was a nice fellow. What has happened has come as a big shock to us. But the police and council have done very well this evening. They have even found a video of cartoons for the kids."

Council workers were sent out for fast food as it became apparent residents would not get home before midnight. Rob Williams, of Chelvington Drive, said: "People are making the best of a bad job, although the whole situation is very sad."

The Army's explosive ordinance department continued its search into the early hours but no detonators were found. Police were expected to return to the house today for further investigations.

They were planning further evacuations of the area and a full examination of the house.They have not named the dead man. It is thought he had been depressed after his wife was taken into a care home.

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