Family 'devastated' over firework blast

Published Thursday, 27 December 2012
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Police investigating a small explosion outside a house in west Belfast have confirmed that it was caused by a commercial firework.

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A family with a three month old baby was inside the property on the Springfield Road when it was attacked on Thursday at 8.45am.

Gavin Devine spoke to UTV of the panic which ensued within the home.

"We had to take a three month child out of the house, at that time of the morning, without being fed or anything, it's terrible."

The family escaped without injury, but he said that his parents are "devastated."

"My dad near took another heart attack this morning," he recalled, before adding that luckily, his father was able to get his medication on time.

Mr Devine said that he didn't know why the family had been attacked.

He believes the device wasn't meant for them.

One neighbour said that the Devine's daughter and granddaughter were preparing to leave the house when the object was thrown at the door.

She told UTV that had they walked out through the front door, the firework "could have landed on the child's pram and exploded."

"It is really sad."

The bomb squad examined what was left of the device - which witnesses say contained nails.

Fra McCann, Sinn Féin MLA, said: "There is another family just in the aftermath of Christmas who have been left in fear of their lives and it could have been much worse if anybody had've been at the door.

"What they need to do is not only give this family peace but everybody in this area peace."

The incident is not believed to be terrorist related at this stage.

Police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the attack or any suspicious activity in the area to contact them.

© UTV News
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