UK city rocked by 'loud explosions' as people ask what's going on

A series of 'very loud bangs' were heard for miles around Sheffield this morning - leaving residents confused as to what had caused them.

One social media user said they had heard multiple 'loud explosions' in the Hillsborough area of the city, while another said they had heard the noises in Oughtibridge several miles away. Others in Wisewood and Walkley also claimed to have noticed the sound. Some said they had been woken up by the blast, which was reported around 8am on Sunday. One social media user said: "Bangs in Sheffield is explosion near the recycling plant area on clay wheels Lane near Hillsborough. Four bangs in about 10 seconds completely shook the house. Smoke everywhere."

Police later confirmed that the blast came from a controlled demolition of large towers at Claywheels Lane. Video footage from the scene shows the chimneys tumbling to the ground after four explosions, setting off nearby security alarms and sending dust high into the air.

But some local people writing online claimed they had not been warned in advance about the blasts, while others questioned why the demolition was carried out so early on a Sunday morning. Others said they had been informed about the controlled demolition, but had not expected it to take place at that time.

A spokesperson from South Yorkshire Police said: "This was a controlled explosion to demolish chimneys at Clay Wheels Lane, Sheffield. The demolition took place around 8am today (Sunday 2 March). Officers were not involved."