Firebomb 'could have caused carnage'

Dissident republicans could have “caused carnage” with a large firebomb defused outside a north Belfast police station, it was claimed today.

The Continuity IRA said it planted the incendiary-style device, which was driven to Castleton Avenue beside York Road police station last night.

Around 100 families were evacuated from their homes for several hours while Army bomb disposal experts dealt with the device.

Chief Inspector Colin Taylor, of the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s North Belfast District Command Unit, claimed it could have killed.

“It could have caused a large firebomb, killing or seriously injuring anyone in the vicinity,” he said.

“Certainly it would have caused serious damage to property. It was a totally indiscriminate and reckless act.”

A controlled explosion was carried out on a red Vauxhall Cavalier car containing the device, damaging windows in nearby homes and a church.

The bomb consisted of a 30lb gas cylinder with a timer attached.

Several elderly people had to be evacuated from their homes by wheelchair, with police and ambulance workers ferrying them out from the area.

Chief Inspector Taylor praised the work of the emergency services and his officers.

“It was total madness. This is a large residential area with a lot of elderly people,” he said.

“If it had not been for the prompt work of the police and emergency services it could have been carnage.”