Investigation into gas explosion

The gas explosion damaged the rear of the house

The police are investigating the explosion of a gas cylinder in a house in Bangor during which a man was seriously injured.

The terrace house at Dufferin Avenue was severely damaged in the blast at about 2300 GMT on Monday.

The man was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast where his condition is described as "serious but stable".

Neighbouring houses were also damaged.

Divisional fire commander Alastair Rooney said it appeared the man was blown about 30 metres out of the house.

The explosion ripped throught the ground floor

He said: "I'm 26 years in the fire brigade - I've seen a few gas explosions but never one which has caused this sort of devastation.

"The complete return (rear) part of this house is demolished to foundation level.

"The walls on either side are blown into the neighbouring houses on either side and the bay window is about to fall down."

Collapsed

George Pritchard, who lives in the next house, said he thought it was a bomb exploding.

"I heard this explosion and the whole thing collapsed on top of me.

"The windows blew out and I just panicked for a few seconds. Then I got up and I heard people screaming," he said.

"There's a great big hole in the wall on one side where the bed was and the whole back of it is gone. It's very bad."

Dufferin Avenue was closed to traffic after the incident and remained closed for a time on Tuesday.