LARGE parts of a North-East town remained sealed off last night after a man blew himself up in his car.

The 58-year-old was discovered at about 3am yesterday inside the wreckage of a blue Nissan Micra, in Old Cemetery Road, Hartlepool.

Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with his death, but bomb disposal experts have been examining the car to identify the chemicals used to create the home-made explosive.

As a precaution, detectives also evacuated a block of flats at Navigation Point, in Hartlepool Marina, where the man lived. Residents were allowed back after officers from the Royal Logistic Corps bomb disposal team gave the all clear late last night. The man leading the investigation, Detective Superintendent Gordon Lang, told a news conference that a terrorism-related incident had been ruled out.

However, two policemen and three emergency ambulance crew, who were first on the scene, had to be decontaminated as a precaution after complaining of sore throats.

Det Supt Lang said: “The body of the 58-year-old man, from Hartlepool, was discovered by police at around 3am.

He had suffered injuries consistent with some kind of explosion, which police can confirm had taken place within the vehicle. The immediate area was cordoned off and the Fire Brigade attended the scene.

“At this stage, we have no idea why this has happened and we are very anxious to discover exactly what led to this sad situation. We are very keen to establish exactly what substances have been used to bring about this explosion.

However, I do not believe that there is any link to terrorism.”

The detective said that 25 police officers were working on the investigation, alongside a five-man Army bomb disposal team.

Detailed chemical analysis of the car and any substances in his home will take place later.

“This is highly unusual and as a consequence of that, it will be of concern to members of the public,” he said.

“The experts are here and we dealing with it in a systematic and methodical way.”

Residents living close to where the man’s body was discovered, near the town’s former Steetley site, have spoken of their shock.

Trevor Barnes said: “We heard a loud bang, but didn’t really think much about it, because it is not that unusual around here.

“When we found out what had happened, we were all really shocked.”

Gill Griffiths, 50, who runs a pet shop, lives on the Headland overlooking the site of the explosion.

She said: “We heard an explosion.

It sounded like cannon fire. We looked out of the window but we couldn’t see a fire or anything. If it’s chemicals, then it’s scary.”

The block of flats and businesses at Navigation Point were evacuated and residents were taken to an emergency rest centre at the Maritime Museum.

Det Supt Lang said: “Inquiries have continued throughout the morning, and police activity around Navigation Point, where police intend to search a flat, has formed part of this.

“As a precautionary measure, and on advice from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team and the fire brigade, a 250-metre cordon has been established around the flat in Mandale House, on Navigation Point.

“Several boats on the Marina, and another block of flats have also been evacuated.

There is no risk to the public beyond the 250-metre cordon.

“Those living in the Navigation Point area should expect considerable disruption for some time and police are asking people to be patient while the incident is ongoing.”

Cleveland Police have confirmed they are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident and inquiries are continuing to trace the victim’s next of kin.

Police said that the five people requiring decontamination treatment were dealt with using soap and water.

A spokeswoman for North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust said: “Two police officers and three ambulance crew were decontaminated at the scene and have been taken to The University Hospital of Hartlepool for check-ups as a precaution.”

It was also confirmed that the trust had called together its major incident team so that it could respond to any subsequent developments and keep other services going during an incident.