Residents evacuated after explosion at house in North Belfast
A number of residents have been evacuated from their homes following an explosion at a house in North Belfast during the early hours of Friday morning.
Police are currently dealing with a security alert in the Stanhope Street area after the incident on 16 October 2026.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland has confirmed that officers are at the scene and that security cordons have been established.
Residents evacuated as police investigate
The PSNI said a number of local residents are being evacuated as a precaution while officers deal with the incident.
The explosion occurred at a residential property during the early hours of Friday morning.
Police have not yet released details about the cause of the explosion or confirmed whether anyone sustained injuries. Nicola Nugent, a mother of four who was inside her Stanhope Street home with her children when the device exploded through the letterbox, in what she believes may be a case of mistaken identity.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.
Public advised to avoid the area
Police have urged members of the public, including motorists, to avoid the Stanhope Street area while the security operation continues.
The cordons are expected to remain in place while officers assess the situation.
Residents and motorists travelling through the surrounding area are advised to follow police directions.
Alliance MLA condemns North Belfast attack
Alliance North Belfast MLA Nuala McAllister has said: “This was a downright shocking and senseless attack, and my thoughts are with Nicola Nugent and her family.
“Whilst we can only be thankful that nobody was hurt, there were young children in the property at the time and we could very easily have been looking at a much more tragic outcome as a result of the reckless behaviour of whoever’s responsible.
“There’s no place in our community for this kind of violence against anybody. I’d encourage anyone who has any information that could help the police in bringing those responsible to justice, to please get in contact with them or report it anonymously via Crimestoppers.”
Councillor condemns suspected pipe bomb attack
Sinn Féin councillor JJ Magee has condemned the explosion at a house in the Stanhope Street area of North Belfast, describing it as a pipe bomb attack.
He said the incident had left the Carrick Hill community in shock and confirmed that nobody had been injured.
The councillor called on anyone with information about the incident to contact the PSNI.
Police have not yet formally confirmed the cause of the explosion, and enquiries remain ongoing.
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