County Down: 'Miracle no one was hurt' after petrol station ATM explosion

It was a "miracle" no one was hurt after an explosion at a petrol station ATM on Monday, the site's owner has said.

Police received a report shortly after 03:15 BST of an ATM on fire at Temple, south of Carryduff.

Upon arrival officers discovered a suspect device close to the machine, which did not explode but was viable.

However, Det Insp Bell said: “We also believe at this stage that a gas cylinder was used which caused a mini explosion a short time later."

A number of men were seen leaving the area on foot in the direction of Ballynahinch between 01:30 and 03:00.

Spar Temple Filling Station released CCTV footage of the attempted theft on social media.

Owner Joanne McKay said that it was a real concern “given what has happened in the last few weeks”.

Earlier this month, 10 people died in an explosion at a service station in Creeslough, County Donegal.