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Palace Barracks: Van explosion a 'possible firebomb' | |
(34 minutes later) | |
An explosion at an army base in Northern Ireland may have been caused by a firebomb, the BBC has been told. | |
Police have confirmed that a device exploded inside a Royal Mail van at Palace Barracks in Holywood, County Down, before 10:30 BST on Friday. | |
The blaze spread from the vehicle to two cars and three garages. There are no reports of any injuries. | The blaze spread from the vehicle to two cars and three garages. There are no reports of any injuries. |
The postal worker who had been driving the van was not inside when the explosion happened. | |
Firefighters attended the scene for about 90 minutes and police forensic experts spent several hours examining the burnt-out remains of the van. | |
Supt Karen Baxter said: "Due to the damage caused by fire and water, the exact nature or make up of the device that caused the explosion has yet to be established. | |
"Although we have no information to suggest there may be other similar packages in the postal system we are working closely with Royal Mail to mitigate any potential risk." | |
In April 2010, a bomb planted by the Real IRA, a dissident republican group, exploded outside the army base which houses MI5's Northern Ireland headquarters. | In April 2010, a bomb planted by the Real IRA, a dissident republican group, exploded outside the army base which houses MI5's Northern Ireland headquarters. |
The explosion happened minutes after policing and justice powers were devolved to Stormont from Westminster. | The explosion happened minutes after policing and justice powers were devolved to Stormont from Westminster. |
During the three decades of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, Palace Barracks served as a base for British army battalions. | During the three decades of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, Palace Barracks served as a base for British army battalions. |
Soldiers from the Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland have been stationed at the barracks since August last year. | Soldiers from the Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland have been stationed at the barracks since August last year. |