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Last Modified: 19 Apr 2008
By: Alex Thomson

Bomb disposal experts carried out two more controlled explosions at the home of a man arrested under the Terrorism Act.

The teenager was detained following a covert intelligence operation led by Avon and Somerset Police.

Dozens of local residents are facing another night away from their homes.

Last night was the second night army bomb disposal experts spent at the property, called in again after further searches revealed what police describe as a "suspicious substance".

Plans to carry out the detonations last night were put on hold until more sandbags could be brought in to reduce the impact of the blast.

The first of the three controlled explosions happened early on Friday morning after police raided the house.

The man who lived there, a 19-year-old named locally as Andrew Ibrahim, had been arrested under the Terrorism Act several hours before.

He's been described as a recent convert to Islam and a university student. Police haven't confirmed his identity but say they had previously come into contact with him.

Today's controlled explosions meant more residents were evacuated while the police continued their search of the house.

These residents have now been allowed home, but around 30 evacuated on Thursday are set to spend a third night in a hotel.

Police have described the operation as "long and complex" and say the search of the property could take several days.

Farooq Siddique a local Muslim leader said Ibrahim was "not known" to Bristol's Muslim community.

He said: "This is obviously a very difficult time for the Muslim community in Bristol. It is a blow to community relationships in the city. We want the police to be allowed to do their jobs as simply and as quickly as possible. We need to be united in this."

Police now have until Thursday to hold Mr Ibrahim before deciding whether to charge or release him, or to apply for more time for questioning.