A SERIES of mysterious explosions reported in Newport are not a result of activity at the city's barracks officials have confirmed.
Intrigue has surrounded the explosions, which were reported to the Argus as happening on more than one occasion on Wednesday.
One "enormous" blast was heard in the Allt-Yr-Yn area at around 5am.
The explosion was originally thought to have been at a property in Coriander Close.
Fire crews were called at around 5.40am but were stood down just after 6am.
Later that day, David Jones, who lives in Allt-Yr-Yn Heights, was recording his workout when another blast was heard.
"Just before 2.25pm, recording my exercise, you can hear the explosion," he said.
If you listen closely to the video below, you can make out the sound.
There have been theories that the blasts are emanating from the military preparation college and barracks at the top of Barrack Hill.
"The explanation relating to the barracks seems to make sense," Mr Jones said.
However, army officials have since confirmed that barracks activity is not the cause of the blasts.
Gavin O’Connor at Army Comms Wales said that he had checked through the week's activities and not found anything which matched.
"The band were rehearsing but I don’t think them hitting the drums would be that loud," he said.
"Manhole covers were also being put down, but that wouldn’t be loud enough either.
"Nothing at the barracks matches the description."
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Mr O'Connor did say that personnel were at the McDonald's branch near the Harlequin Roundabout at the time of the second blast and heard it themselves.
"Being military personnel they rushed out to see what it was," he said.
"They saw some youths who looked like they’d had fireworks.
"I don’t think just fireworks would create that kind of noise people have been recalling though."
Another eye-witness, who asked not to be named, reported seeing a "big red flash" near the overpass at the bottom of Malpas Road.
He said that smoke was lingering in the area and a group of four or five youths was seen "milling around".
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