Device explodes in postal van at Co Down army base

A small device has exploded inside a postal van at an army base in Northern Ireland, police said.

A fire broke out on Friday morning at Palace Barracks, Holywood, Co Down, the PSNI confirmed. Flames spread to two other vehicles and garages within the sprawling complex.

Palace Barracks is close to Belfast and is one of the main army bases in Northern Ireland.

A PSNI statement said on Friday: “Detectives from PSNI Serious Crime Branch can confirm that a small explosion occurred inside the rear of a postal vehicle within Palace Barracks in Holywood this morning.”

The postal worker who had been driving the van was not inside when the explosion occurred.

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, police said.

In May, two bombs were found close to an army reserve base in Derry.

Palace Barracks houses the Northern Ireland headquarters of secret service MI5, overlooking Belfast Lough a few miles from the city.

Press Association