Lyle Shelton/Twitter The van was driven into the building and set alight

FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up fornow and never miss the top politics stories again. We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

The vehicle then exploded into flame, gutting the van and causing damage to the exterior of the buildoing. No-one in the building was injuried in the attack, according to the company's managing director, who said it followed a series of online assaults. The incident occurred at the Canberra headquarters of the Australian Christian Lobby, a group which is currently carrying out a high-profile campaign against gay marriage.

The group’s managing director Lyle Shelton Tweeted: “A vehicle has rammed our office in Canberra & exploded all staff are safe. “I do not know the condition of the driver. Prayers appreciated.”

TWITTER The van was packed with gas canisters, according to investigators

He added: "Police contacted me and told me that someone has driven a white van into the carpark of our office and it has been loaded with gas cylinders and then it has been detonated. "We have had the normal trolls on social media and even had death threats sent to our Canberra office over the year but I am very concerned someone would do this “It is a relief the building was unoccupied at the time and we are all very thankful our staff are all safe. “Obviously this is very unsettling to us but also to anyone in Australia, for this to happen in Canberra, our nation’s capital is very disappointing. “It is something I thought would never happen here, I can’t believe it.”

BERLIN TERROR: 'TWELVE' dead as truck crashed into crowd at Christmas market Tue, December 20, 2016 A truck crashed into a Christmas market in Berlin killing at least 12 and injuring 48 Play slideshow REUTERS•AFP 1 of 21 A truck crashed into a Christmas market in Berlin killing at least 12 and injuring 48