Pothole Reveals Possible WWII Underground Bunker

Published: Tuesday 23rd March 2010 22:00

 

A mysterious room which could possibly be a World War II bunker has been discovered under the car park of a pub in Brandon.

 

Peter Otoka, owner and landlord of The Flintknappers public house on Market Hill, was informed of the appearance of a pothole at the weekend after a friends car became stuck in it.

 

Further investigation of the hole revealed it led to an old underground room, which contains furniture and a large amount of timber. Also noticeable towards the back of the room is what is believed to be electrical wiring.

 

It is thought that the timber seen inside the room formed part of the old ceiling which has since become rotten and fallen to the floor beneath. This, coupled with the constant movement in the car park above, has weakened the structure causing the pothole to appear in the tarmac that was laid directly over the top.

 

Contractors were called in this week to make the area safe and widened the hole to reveal more of the timber and stone room.

 

The room is believed to be a World War II bunker or a possibly one of a number of cellars from properties that used to be located on the site. If this is confirmed as being a cellar from an old property located here, there could be many more located in the same area.

 

Mr Otoka told BrandonSuffolk.com "We don't know yet whether it's a bunker or a cellar. I was told there used to be a row of cottages there, so there could be a row of cellars as well".

 

The hole will be excavated on Sunday to reveal more, then the next course of action can be decided.

 

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