A "very loud and scary" explosion was heard across the city of Cardiff with police warning residents to stay away from an area of the city.
At around 4am this morning a loud bang was heard coming from Llanrumney.
A witness who lives close to the scene described a "big explosion", Wales Online reported.
She said someone had tried to blow up the cash machine outside a Co-op.
The shutters of the shop have been caved in, with shrapnel strewn across the road.
The witness said a car was on fire and there were police and fire crews at the scene.
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Windows above the Co-op were shattered in the blast that could be heard from miles around.
People in Rhiwbina, Pentwyn and Penylan all reported hearing the explosion.
One resident four miles away in Pontprennau said: "I heard the car explosion this morning.
"My house actually shook from the severe force of it.
"I thought a bomb had detonated nearby."
It is believed that suspects used acetylene cylinders to gain access to the shop and cash machine.
A number of flats above the shops were evacuated as a precaution while the cylinders were made safe by the fire service.
A spokeswoman said: "A nearby bakers provided displaced residents with shelter and warm drinks while they waited to return to their homes.
"There are no reported injuries, the road remains closed and enquiries are on-going."
Nadeem Muhammad, who has lived above the Co-op for the past five months, said his flat and car were damaged in the blast.
He said: "We heard a loud noise early this morning.
"I looked out of the window and saw something had happened downstairs and everything was all over the road and there was something underneath my car.
"I know now that is what they used to try and do the explosion. We are all ok."
Hannah May who lives in the adjacent flats with her children aged 14 and seven said: "It felt like a bomb went off.
"My house shook. I couldn’t sleep and was just about to go to sleep and suddenly there was bang."
John, who works at a a shop nearby, said: "I woke up this morning and saw it all over Facebook and wondered what had happened.
"This is the third time something like this has happened at this Co-op.
"The other two were ram raids about two years ago. Whatever they did looks quite advanced.
"It’s been blown all over the road."
In January last year alcohol, tobacco and cigarettes were stolen from the shop in a ram-raid.
Labour Councillor Keith Jones said: "We will not tolerate such lawlessness at the heart of our community, at a much loved parade of shops."
Police asked people to stay away from the area.
Those inside a police cordon have been asked to stay indoors.
"Please could all persons avoid the area until further notice," a spokesperson said.
One man reported hearing a "deep resonating boom or explosion at about 4.03am in Cardiff."
He added: "Took a second or two to decay, as the sound bounced around."
Llanrumney is in the east of Cardiff, about two miles from the city centre.
