This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-33934215
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Palace Barracks: Van explosion a 'possible firebomb' | Palace Barracks: Van explosion a 'possible firebomb' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| An explosion at an army base in Northern Ireland may have been caused by a firebomb, the BBC has been told. | 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 post van at Palace Barracks in Holywood, County Down, before 10:30 BST on Friday. | |
| The subsequent blaze spread from the vehicle to two cars and three garages. There are no reports of any injuries. | The subsequent 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. | 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. | 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. | 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." | "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." |
| Powers | |
| Theresa Villiers, the Northern Ireland secretary of state, said: "Those responsible for sending this postal device showed a reckless disregard for the safety of postal workers and others doing their jobs | |
| "There is nothing to gain from this. Their actions are reckless and futile." | |
| 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. |