Hunt is on for Newport bombers: Family tells of lucky escape after three windows shatter in blast

A NEWPORT family is counting its blessings after a summer trip away meant they were not at home when a makeshift bomb shattered three windows.

Peter Ferguson Home made bombs have been let off and shattered windows in Newport. Picture: Martin Lange.

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A  NEWPORT family is counting its blessings after a summer trip away meant they were not at home when a makeshift bomb shattered three windows.

Peter Ferguson and his family would have been sprayed with broken glass had they been tucked up in bed when their unit bore the brunt of an explosion in the early hours of January 4.

“It could have been serious,” Mr Ferguson said. “I have got a little boy, anything could have happened. It is concerning.”

Police are hunting those responsible for a number of similar explosions at Newport during December and January, some of which were so loud they have been heard as far afield as Towlers Bay.

Police said many of the explosions occurred in Gladstone St and surrounding areas.

Northern Beaches duty officer, Inspector Adrian de Visser, said there had been at least three reported explosions, on December 12, January 4 and January 26.

It is believed several other explosions have occurred between those dates.

Remnants of shattered glass on the window sills of the Newport apartment. Picture: Martin Lange.

A chilling account from another resident showed just how dangerous the homemade bombs can be.

Steve Cronan and his wife were walking along the street on their way home from a birthday party at the Newport on January 7, when a bomb exploded near them.

He said it looked like a small fire had started across the road on Gladstone St.

“I was walking across the road to see what it was and would have got to within about 20m of it when it just blew up — and I mean massively blew up,” he said.

“I was lucky I didn’t get any closer.”

Lauren Galloway heard the homemade bombs let off in Newport. Picture: Martin Lange.

Meanwhile, Mr Ferguson’s windows are still boarded up and glass remnants remain on the outside window sill.

“There were glass shards all over my bed and on the floor when we returned home,” he said.

He was concerned the attacks appeared to be increasing in frequency and intensity.

“It has become common now. It is scary, whether it is just kids being dickheads or there is more to it,” he said.

Insp de Visser called on anyone with information to call police.

“Participating in a practice like this could result in serious injury or death, so we’re taking this matter very seriously,” he said.

“We’re following a number of lines of inquiry but the community is our eyes and ears, so if you have seen any suspicious activity or have knowledge of it, please call Dee Why police station.”

Mr Ferguson’s neighbour, Lauren Galloway, said it was terrifying when the bomb went off about 3am on January 4. She said it was either put inside or near a bin in the driveway of their unit complex.

“It is pretty scary, everyone didn't really know what it was,” she said. “It was just so loud. At first we thought it was an explosion from the electrical cord.

“But then we saw bits of the bomb, and parts of the bin everywhere, and realised what it was.”

Other residents near the Gladstone St target zone have described their walls shaking and windows rattling as the bombs go off.

Phil Murray said it was the “loudest thing I have ever heard”.

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“I thought a boat had blown up on Pittwater,” he said, “I was expecting to hear sirens and see fire engines and ambulances come screaming around the corner.”

If you have information you can call Dee Why Police Station on 9971 3399 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.