Adelaide family targeted in drive-by explosive attack

An Adelaide family has been left shaken after an explosive device was catapulted at their home just after midnight.

Twelve-year-old Kenneth Pao was asleep in the front room of the home on Bauhinia Drive, Parafield Gardens when he was woken by glass shattering after a loud bang and flash.

"I saw to my left, like, sparks, so I ran away as fast as I could," Kenneth told 9News.

"I just heard a big bang — I felt scared."

The boy was not injured, but the family, who were home at the time, don't know why they were targeted.

"I heard the noise and there was smoke in here, a lot, and outside. I looked through the window, it's broken. Yeah, very scared," Kenneth's grandmother Leng said.

Neighbours said they heard the bang and could see the flash before a car sped off from the street.

A crime scene was established and detectives spent the night combing the scene and taking victim statements from the family.

Police are not treating it as a random attack but haven't revealed any more details.

"Causing harm to any person is a serious concern, this is obviously an extreme act by some person and we're investigating," SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens told 9News.

Anyone with information that may help police with their investigation is urged to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 00.