DETECTIVES are appealing for witnesses following an incident at a house in St Gall’s Avenue in west Belfast last night, Friday 15 September. 

Police say that at around 8.40pm police responded to a report of a smell of petrol at a house on the street.

Said a spokesperson: “Upon attendance a suspicious object was discovered inside the gas box of a property.

“ATO attended and, upon examination, declared it to be a crude explosive device that had partially detonated.

“The remnants of the device were removed for further examination.

Detective Sergeant Kelly is appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident or anyone with any information that can assist with the investigation to contact Detectives in Musgrave Police Station on 101 quoting reference 1422 of 15/09/17.

Information can also be passed anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.