Residents have been evacuated from their homes after a "viable" pipe bomb was discovered under a car.
Police rushed to Havana Court in north Belfast at around 10.30pm on Sunday to reports that a pipe bomb had been thrown at a house.
The explosive device was found underneath a car, which the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) warned could have had "devastating" consequences due to its close proximity to a petrol tank.
The force confirmed a "number of people" had been forced to leave their homes overnight as officers worked to make the scene safe.
PSNI Inspector Curry said: "Our officers attended the scene, alongside ammunition technical officers (Ato's)
"The item was deemed to be a viable pipe bomb and was made safe before being removed for further examination.
"If the pipe bomb had exploded underneath the car, so close to a petrol tank, the consequences could have been devastating."
Motorists and members of the public were also urged to avoid the area in the early hours of this morning as police remained at the scene.
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Police warned the consequences could have been 'devastating' if the device had exploded
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In a statement released just before 1am, the PSNI said: "Police are at the scene of a security alert in the Havana Court area of north Belfast this morning following the discovery of a suspicious object.
"Residents are being evacuated, and road users and members of the public are advised to avoid the area."
A nearby community centre was opened overnight to support those forced to leave their homes.
Independent Belfast councillor, Paul McCusker, said the incident had caused "serious disruption", branding it "totally unacceptable".
He wrote in a post to social media: "Ardoyne Community Centre is currently opened and supporting those evacuated from Havana Court and the surrounding area, thanks to Belfast City Council.
"A device has been found under a car at Havana Court, the Ato's are currently dealing with the device.
"This has caused serious disruption in the community and I hope that residents are able to return to their homes as soon as possible, I have been speaking to police and council throughout the night.
"Totally unacceptable that these incidents are still happening."