A HOME-MADE pipe bomb which exploded in Burnley could have maimed or killed, it was revealed today.

The 2ft-long bomb, made from steel pipe and filled with an explosive device and possibly shrapnel, went off at the rear of RDA Wholesale, the former Taskers supermarket, in Turf Street about 3pm yesterday.

It is thought youngsters on school half-term holiday may have been responsible.

No one was hurt and no structural damage was caused.

A police inquiry has been launched in who placed the device and how it was detonated.

Fire and Rescue Service acting divisional officer Neville Earnshaw warned that the device could have caused serious injury or worse.

He said: "We certainly want to warning to go out that this was an extremely dangerous piece of equipment.

"It could certainly be a serious danger to the people who made it as well as to anyone who might be in the vicinity when it went off. It was made from a two-feet length of steel conduit pipe with the ends hammered over and filled with a violent reactive chemical

"When it went off it blew the ends out and causing a risk of shrapnel injury."

Det Sgt Steve Mounsey said an inquiry had been launched. There was no reason to think it was connected to terrorism and initial investigations would concentrate on reports that children may have been responsible.

No-one at the discount store was available for comment. PICTURE: Fire officer Neville Earnshaw with the remains of the pipe bomb