Car bomb explodes in UK

A coded warning was given, but it was too late for the device to be deactivated

BIRMINGHAM, England (CNN) -- A car exploded in Birmingham late on Saturday, but no-one was injured in the blast, police say.

Police believe an Irish dissident group was responsible for the blast near New Street railway station, but stressed the incident was not connected to the September 11 terror attacks.

A coded warning was given but it was was too late for the device to be deactivated and the area evacuated.

Passers-by described what appeared to be a powdered substance coming from the back of the car, sparking fears of an anthrax attack.

Chief Inspector Ellie Bird, of West Midlands Police, said two or three police officers were decontaminated as a precaution before it became apparent the fears were groundless, and that the bomb was most likely the work of an Irish dissident group.

The officer added that anti-terrorist experts from the Metropolitan Police and army bomb disposal specialists were at the scene, which has been cordoned off.

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Ms Bird said: "Early indications are that this is the work of an Irish dissident group. There are no connections with events in America."

Birmingham was the target of one of the worst atrocities of the Provisional IRA when 17 people were killed in a bombing in 1974.

No group has admitted responsibility for Saturday's blast although suspicions are likely to fall on republican dissident group the Real IRA.

The bomb appeared to have caused minimal damage despite being detonated in the heart of the city, close to theatres, nightclubs, bars and restaurants.

The blast came just hours after politicians in Northern Ireland found a way to avoid the suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly, which was thrown into disarray when David Trimble failed to be re-elected as the province's first minister.

Members of the cross-community Alliance Party have decided to re-designate themselves as unionists in a bid to save the Good Friday Agreement. A new vote will be held on Monday.