'An almighty fire...and boom' - Neighbours' shock as device goes off in alleyway behind garden

A device which was left in an alleyway and exploded was not believed to be an act of terrorism, say police. The blast happened in a ginnel between the rear of homes in Farnworth, Bolton.

It sent a wall of flame up above 17ft high fencing but the fire did not catch hold. GMP and the Army's Explosive Ordnance Disposal team (EOD) responded to the incident which residents say happened at 9.20pm on Sunday. It was in a backstreet off Longcauseway and no one was injured. No arrests have been made and tactical aid officers carried out a fingertip search today of the area which was cordoned off.

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In a statement to the Manchester Evening News, GMP said: "We cannot say what the device was at this stage. We remain open-minded about the motive at this stage but it is not currently being treated as terrorism. The device is still being examined. An area search has been completed and there will be additional patrols in the area to provide reassurance."

One couple have spoke of the “frightening” moment the explosion took place just behind the hedges at the back of their garden. Doreen and Tony Cowell, witnessed an “almighty fire” and “boom”. The couple were standing in their garden at around 9.20pm last night feeding a hedgehog who visits them regularly, when they said they heard a “boom” and saw flames shoot up over their hedges - which stand at around 17 feet tall. They at first assumed it was a small explosion from a local chip shop - but were shocked to see police and forensics descend on the scene, on a small back road just off Lark Street, between Longcauseway and St Peter’s Terrace, this morning. “There was a boom, and then the