House fire 'caused gas explosion'

The explosion happened at the back of a house in Portadown

An explosion at the back of a house in Portadown was caused by a fire which spread to a gas cylinder and an oil tank, the Fire Service has said.

No-one was injured in the blast which occurred just after 1500 BST in Lynden Gate, off the Ballyhannon Road.

It is believed the occupants were not at home at the time. Police are investigating the incident.

Resident Chris Goward who heard the explosion said the force of the blast blew over a neighbour's fence.

He said the blaze spread to the adjacent house.

"I heard a very loud bang and went to investigate," he told the BBC News Website. "Then I saw the flames.

"The people who owned the house were not there at the time, they came back later.

"The fence next door had been blown right over. There was very thick smoke. The fire spread to the other garden."

Three fire crews initially attended the blaze.