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Explosion in Warwick

An explosion we believe in Quarry hill just off Cobbs Hill Road, WarwickPhoto Sallyann Smith

Firefighters are battling a blaze at a construction yard on Quarry Hill Road in Warwick following reports of an explosion in the area.

Three fire engines are at the scene and firefighters are hosing down the flames at the property — which includes a stable block — belonging to Eddie Roque.

Mr Roque’s son Alexander told The Royal Gazette that no one — human or animal — had been hurt in the fire.

The yard houses construction equipment, stables and several horses.

Mr Roque said the blaze was in a garage but looked worse than it was.

“It’s a garage so it’s got tyres and sawdust from the horses,” he said.

“There’s nobody in there and it didn’t burn the house.

“There was a woman and a little kid in the house but they got out quick.”

He said his parents were off Island.

A neighbour said he heard an explosion and rushed from his house to see what was happening.

“It was loud and I felt the pressure from it,” said the 44-year-old man.

“I was wondering what was going on and then I saw all the flames.

“The last explosion I was standing right here. I was like ‘should I be standing here now?’.”

Police have initially categorised the incident as a structural fire, adding that there are no reported injuries to either people or animals on the property.

“At approximately 11.05am first responders attended a report of a structural fire at a residence — including a horse stable — on Quarry Hill Road Warwick off of Cobbs Hill,” a police spokesman has now confirmed.

“There are no reported injuries to humans or animals. Fire personnel are on scene now and it is an active situation.”

One Warwick resident said that she heard the explosion just after 11am, with fire crews arriving on the scene shortly afterwards.

“There was a huge, loud bang and now massive of plumes of smoke are coming from the Cobbs Hill Road area,” the resident said.

“Emergency services got there really quickly, in a matter of seconds. It’s crazy down there now.”

The resident added that, according to neighbours, plumes of smoke were seen before the explosion was heard.