Police are advising the public and motorists to avoid Aughnacloy in County Tyrone after a van was abandoned outside a police station.
Army bomb experts have been called
to examine the abandoned van
Army technical officers have been called to examine the vehicle which was left outside the building on the Dungannon Road.
Some 350 people living close by have had to leave their homes.
Dungannon Road and Main Street have been cordoned off and other agencies are helping police to clear the area.
Local DUP councillor Sammy Brush, who is at the scene, said: "There is nothing getting in, or out, of the vicinity of the police station.
"There's a white Ford transit van parked in front of the police station."
Mr Brush said residents have been moved to nearby halls for the night.
"We can open all the halls that are needed. We have the facilities to open them.
"We wouldn't have beds in them but we have seats and things like that.
"It looks like it's going to be a long night and probably these people are going to be out for some considerable time."
He added that the evacuation seemed "fairly well organised" and that there was "no panic".
"There's a little bit of anger and disbelief but I suppose the longer this goes on, the feelings will probably get stronger."
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Army bomb experts have been called
to examine the abandoned van
Army technical officers have been called to examine the vehicle which was left outside the building on the Dungannon Road.
Some 350 people living close by have had to leave their homes.
Dungannon Road and Main Street have been cordoned off and other agencies are helping police to clear the area.
Local DUP councillor Sammy Brush, who is at the scene, said: "There is nothing getting in, or out, of the vicinity of the police station.
"There's a white Ford transit van parked in front of the police station."
Mr Brush said residents have been moved to nearby halls for the night.
"We can open all the halls that are needed. We have the facilities to open them.
"We wouldn't have beds in them but we have seats and things like that.
"It looks like it's going to be a long night and probably these people are going to be out for some considerable time."
He added that the evacuation seemed "fairly well organised" and that there was "no panic".
"There's a little bit of anger and disbelief but I suppose the longer this goes on, the feelings will probably get stronger."
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