POLICE have said a "viable device" left outside a house in Carrickfergus could have killed someone.
A controlled explosion was carried out on the device found in the Marshallstown Road area of the town at around 10.30pm on Saturday.
Chief Inspector Simon Ball said: "The resident of the house reported hearing a bang and saw a flash at the front of his house and initially thought that a firework had gone off.
"He was the only person in the house at the time and, although he was not hurt, he was left shocked by the incident.
"A controlled explosion was carried out on the object which was outside the front door but had not detonated. It was later declared a viable device.
"This was a reckless attack in a residential area and, had the device exploded, it could have caused serious injury or even death."
People living in the area were evacuated from their homes and several roads were closed during the alert.
Chief Inspector Ball urged witnesses to come forward.
