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Homes evacuated as gas explodes Gas pipe explosion 'suspicious'
(about 3 hours later)
Up to 80 people have been evacuated from their homes in County Antrim following a gas pipe explosion. A gas explosion which led to 50 houses being evacuated in County Antrim was "suspicious", police have said.
A 200-metre exclusion zone was set up as flames reached six metres in height near the railway halt on Station Road at Greenisland on Sunday A 200-metre exclusion zone was set up as flames reached six metres in height near the railway halt on Station Road at Greenisland on Sunday.
Police said the fire melted a plastic pipe causing a metal valve to come loose and a jet of gas was ignited.
Two church halls were opened for residents. The fire, which began about 2200 BST, was extinguished at 0200.
Officers from the PSNI Scenes of Crime unit removed items for examination.
'Complicated'
A police spokesperson said detectives were keen to identify a youth wearing a white top and white baseball cap who was seen in the area.
Group commander with the Fire and Rescue Service, William Cavanagh, said it was a complicated operation.Group commander with the Fire and Rescue Service, William Cavanagh, said it was a complicated operation.
"As long as it was burning and not causing any damage to property we were quite happy," he said."As long as it was burning and not causing any damage to property we were quite happy," he said.
"So we then just waited on Phoenix Gas to arrive."So we then just waited on Phoenix Gas to arrive.
"There was an additional problem of overhead power lines and other electricity in the area so we had to wait as well for NIE to isolate the actual mains.""There was an additional problem of overhead power lines and other electricity in the area so we had to wait as well for NIE to isolate the actual mains."