Device explodes in Royal Mail post van

Police in the North have confirmed a small device exploded in a post van at an army base in County Down earlier today.

Officers were called to a fire at Palace Barracks near Belfast, which spread to two other vehicles and three nearby garages.

PSNI "working closely with Royal Mail to mitigate any potential risk" after parcel bomb explodes in post van at Palace Baracks, Holywood.

— David Blevins (@skydavidblevins) August 14, 2015

The Ministry of Defence has launched an investigation into the incident while the PSNI says it's working with Royal Mail to ensure there are no further risks to the company's staff and facilities.

A PSNI statement said: ``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.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) attended and extinguished the blaze, however the vehicle was extensively damaged. The flames had also spread to two other vehicles as well as nearby garages, she added.

“Fortunately the postal worker who had been driving this van was not inside when the explosion occurred.

“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.”

Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers described the attack as futile.

She 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.”