LISTEN:Home owner says he's lucky to be alive following gas explosion in Belfast

By David Hunter

A house has been left severely damaged in an apparent gas explosion in the Ardoyne area of North Belfast. 

Fire crews responded to the incident in the Farringdon Gardens area this evening.

A number of families were evacuated as a result, and were forced to go to Ardoyne Community Centre for shelter. 

Mains workers and Northern Ireland Electricity were also called to the scene to secure any additional damage.

Local councillor Paul McCusker told QRadio news everyone appears to have escaped uninjured. 

Stephen Legge lives in the property and says his partner was out at the time. 

"I'm shocked. Bemused, I just can't believe what happened. I was in the house and the window's came in and I went outside and seen the fire beside the gas box and it just went up.

"There's extensive damage, so I don't know what's going to happen tonight. I don't know where we're going to go."

"I was just off night shift and was resting my eyes, I didn't even know what was going on until I saw the fire, someone had already called the fire engine."

Investigations continue at scene of Ardoyne fire/explosion. Join @qnewsdesk am for exclusive interview with survivor pic.twitter.com/u1drQqfnWH

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) October 18, 2017

Neighbour Frances Corrigan describes the drama of tonight's fire and suspected gas explosion in Ardoyne pic.twitter.com/WhklqBDVBW

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) October 18, 2017

Another man who lived on the street said the fire had already been extinguished, and firefighters were 'blown to the ground' with force. 

"There was definitely an explosion, a gas explosion" he said. 

"That's what blew the firemen down the garden again, and all the windows came out. Everything in the living room I think came out that front window.

"Unreal how they were able to get up and walk away, I'm near sure it was shock that got them up but I've not seen them again since so I don't know how they are now."

A spokesperson for the NIFRS said crews were attending the scene and would provide a further update after investigating the fire.  

.@NIFRSOFFICIAL Station Commander Dave McComiskey says firefighters unhurt but very shocked after Ardoyne explosion pic.twitter.com/FrWnIDF1UA

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) October 18, 2017

Current scene at Farringdon gardens, Ardoyne as services deal with an ongoing fire & gas explosion. Thankfully everyone is safe @ the minute pic.twitter.com/3rmWbx1uab

— Paul Mc Cusker (@Paul_Mc_Cusker) October 18, 2017