CHILDREN had to be taken from their beds after a pipe bomb exploded in the garden of a house in Derry.
Up to 40 people were evacuated after the device exploded at a house at Erne Gardens, Irish Street in the city's Waterside area.
Detective Inspector Conor McStravick said police were called to the scene shortly after 10.20pm on Wednesday and two men and a woman were in the house at the time.
“The remnants of the device were examined by ATO who have confirmed it was a viable pipe bomb type device. It has been removed for further examination.
“No-one was injured during the incident. However the occupants of the house were left very badly shaken,” he said.
DUP councillor for the area, Drew Thompson said up to 40 people, including children taken from their beds, had to leave their homes.
“There was a real mixture of elderly people and young people, people in their pyjamas and wrapped in blankets,” he said.
Mr Thompson said staff opened a nearby community centre for people to stay in until they were able to travel on to relatives.
“I condemn this outright; there is no place for this in our society,” he said.
