Dozens of houses evacuated after explosion

Emergency services tonight said it was lucky no lives were lost when an explosion ripped through at least three houses.

Five people escaped with minor injuries in the blast in the busy south Dublin suburb of Blackrock, which sent debris spewing over passers-by and forced the evacuation of dozens of homes.

Dublin Fire Brigade said the front of the house where the explosion went off was blown out, although gardaí believe the property was empty at the time.

The injured included an elderly woman who lived in one of the neighbouring homes, a motorist and three passers-by.

One fire officer said: “It was fairly serious. I’d say they were lucky, very very lucky that they weren’t killed.”

The blast went off in a private home in St Anne’s Square, Blackrock, at around 1.30pm, although two neighbouring council houses were also badly damaged.

Gardaí and the fire brigade believe the explosion may have been caused by a gas leak, but Bord Gais said it was too early to tell.

Shocked local residents described a scene of devastation, with one women likening the damage to the aftermath of a bomb blast.

Gardaí cordoned off the square and over 30 council houses were evacuated, while the five injured were brought to St Vincent’s Hospital.

Nuala Bell lives just behind one of the damaged houses and said she was shocked by the scale of the devastation.

“I was in the house when it happened. There was a big bang and the house shook and I didn’t know what was happening,” she said.

“I ran out on to the street. People were running on the balconies of the flats and screaming.

“I didn’t know what was happening. I got an awful fright.

“I shouted over to my neighbour ’what’s happening?’ and she shouted back ’there’s been a big explosion. Get out. Get out.’

“It looks like a big bomb went off.”

Dualtagh McLaughlin, head chef at nearby Sheehans Cafe Bar, said locals ran to the house where the blast went off.

“I was in the kitchen and I thought it was the roof falling in, and then it was very quiet afterwards,” Mr McLaughlin said.

“I ran outside on to the road and there were a couple of people running up to the house.

“I ran up to the house as well. A couple of people were trying to kick down one of the doors.”

Bord Gais sent an emergency response team to the site but were initially unable to gain access to the property because of structural concerns.

A spokeswoman said: “We are at the site but due to the condition of the properties we are not able to get access to investigate the cause.

“The local authority is looking at the condition of the building.

“We are waiting for clearance before we can go into the building.

The company said it was isolating the supply of gas to the affected house and neighbouring damaged properties.

Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council said senior staff from the architects, environment and housing departments went to the scene.

A spokeswoman said food, drink and shelter had been provided for residents evacuated from their homes.

“Council social workers are on site to support and assist with the housing needs of the two families from the damaged houses, who are council tenants,” she said.

“Emergency accommodation is being provided for these families in the short term and more long-term arrangements will be discussed with the families in due course.”