'Firework' explosion under West Hampstead resident's home

An explosive device was thrown under the car at a West Hampstead home on Tuesday causing the street to be evacuated. Residents were asked to leave their homes in Ranulf Road as police sealed off the area at around 4pm. A device, which police believe ma

An explosive device was thrown under the car at a West Hampstead home on Tuesday causing the street to be evacuated.

Residents were asked to leave their homes in Ranulf Road as police sealed off the area at around 4pm. A device, which police believe may have been a firework, was thrown underneath a vehicle parked in a driveway.

Witnesses say a car pulled up alongside the parked vehicle, then a man jumped out and threw an object underneath it before driving off. Seconds later there was a small explosion which blew open the windows leaving glass strewn across the driveway. Residents who spoke to the Ham&High say the house belongs to an estate agent.

One resident who asked not to be named said: "The bang was incredible. I thought it was a bomb straight away. It was frightening."

Thankfully the owners of the car were not in the drive at the time and there were no reported injuries.

Police and firefighters rushed to the scene and residents were told to leave their homes while officers searched for any other devices on the street.

The victims were allowed to return to their home shortly after 6pm.

A spokesman for Barnet police said: "Officers attended and fortunately no-one reported any injuries. At this early stage it is believed suspects threw a firework into a car.