Bomb squad blow up explosive substance found at East Lothian school

A bomb squad was called to a school in East Lothian on Tuesday afternoon.

The Army's Explosive Ordinance Disposal rushed to Knox Academy in Haddington after reports of “an explosive substance” being found in the science department of the school.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were called around 3.45pm on Tuesday, 20 October, 2020, to a report of an explosive substance found in the science department of a school in the Pencaitland Road area of Haddington.”

A spokesperson for East Lothian Council told the Evening News: “During a holiday stocktake of materials within Knox Academy's science labs a couple of bottles of a substance known as Tollens Reagent were noted.

Knox Academy in Haddington.

"This substance is prepared for use in classroom experiments and usually disposed of after 24 hours. When stored for longer it can become unstable and pose a slight explosive risk.

"The school contacted Emergency Services, who then contacted the Army's Explosive Ordinance Disposal team, who carried out a controlled explosion.”

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