Residents have been evacuated after a suspected car bomb exploded in Derry.
The PSNI as well as firefighters and the ambulance service sealed off the scene close to a courthouse on Bishop Street in the city.
Witnesses earlier said they heard a loud bang and saw a large plume of smoke.
Local residents, including those in a sheltered housing complex for elderly people, are being evacuated.
A photograph was tweeted from a PSNI Twitter account warning people to stay away from the area.
A further update was posted on the PSNI’s Foyle Facebook page.
Democratic Unionist Party leader Arlene Foster said it was a “pointless act of terror” which “must be condemned in the strongest terms”.
“Only hurts the people of the City. Perpetrated by people with no regard for life,” she said.
“Grateful to our emergency services for their swift actions which helped ensure there have been no fatalities or injuries.
This pointless act of terror must be condemned in the strongest terms. Only hurts the people of the City.
— Arlene Foster DBE PC #ProudofNI. (@ArleneFosterUK) January 19, 2019
Perpetrated by people with no regard for life.
Grateful to our emergency services for their swift actions which helped ensure there have been no fatalities or injuries. https://t.co/IMJ7Dn9rAa
Sinn Fein Foyle MP Elisha McCallion has condemned the explosion.
“This incident has shocked the local community,” she said. “In particular, there are many elderly residents who live in the area who have been alarmed.
“Thankfully no-one appears to have been injured.
Very disturbing news from L~Derry this evening. Hope that no-one is hurt. Police now reporting a second suspicious vehicle in the area.
— Naomi Long MLA (@naomi_long) January 19, 2019
Please follow police advice: avoid the area around Bishop Street Courthouse and stay safe while @PSNIDCSDistrict do their job. https://t.co/pOdpGGorjb
“Derry is a city moving forward and no-one wants this type of incident. It is not representative of the city.
“I would encourage anyone with information about this incident to bring it to the police.”
Local Democratic Unionist MLA Gary Middleton condemned the incident as a “disgraceful act of terrorism”.
“PSNI have confirmed there were no injuries in the serious incident at Bishops Street,” he said.
“Vehicle hijacked with explosion outside courthouse. Disgraceful act of terrorism.”
PSNI have confirmed there were no injuries in the serious incident at Bishops Street. Vehicle hijacked with explosion outside courthouse. Disgraceful act of terrorism. pic.twitter.com/X0YoUT7ZUb
— Gary Middleton MLA 🎗️ (@Gary_Middleton) January 19, 2019
Alliance Party leader Naomi Long has also voiced her concern about the incident on Twitter, describing it as “very disturbing news”.
The incident happened just a few miles from the border ahead of the 100th anniversary of the war of independence.
The first shots of the war were fired at Soloheadbeg, Co Tipperary on January 21 1919.
Violent dissident republican groups have been responsible for a number of murders over the last 10 years.
Dissidents were also responsible for the murders of prison officers David Black in 2012 and Adrian Ismay in 2016.
There have also been a number of narrow misses, including the maiming of Constable Peadar Heffron in 2010, when an undercar booby trap bomb left him seriously injured.
Earlier (9:17pm): Suspected car bomb explodes in Derry
A suspected car bomb has exploded in Derry.
A photograph was tweeted from a Police Service of Northern Ireland Twitter account showing what appears to be a vehicle ablaze.
Bishop Street Closed
— Police Derry City and Strabane (@PSNIDCSDistrict) January 19, 2019
STAY AWAY
Suspected Car Bomb pic.twitter.com/S3cFu3zy0i
The PSNI said: "Police are in attendance at the scene of an incident in Derry city centre.
"We would ask for patience and co-operation of the public and the business community as we carry out our initial investigations.
"Any info to 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."