Chaos after gas blast at restaurant

Man hurt in ‘explosion like car bomb’

ONE man was injured after a gas explosion blew the roof off a new Indian restaurant – only opened on Monday.

Residents said yesterday’s blast at Clay Oven in East Belfast sounded “like a car bomb”.

Up to 16 ambulances were called to the scene in Ballyhackamore as well as three fire crews.

The extent of the man’s injuries are not yet known.

Severe damage to the building meant police were forced to close part of the Upper Newtownards Road at its junction with Earlswood Road for several hours.

Hairdresser Jason Shankey, whose salon is four doors down, told of his shock over the blast.

He said: “The new Clay Oven restaurant just opened on the corner. The kitchen is upstairs and it blew out the window downstairs.

“Luckily no one was walking past at the time. The roof appears to have been lifted up above the building and the hairdressers next door were working at the time.

“Their ceiling folded in and they had to evacuate the building. We got them into our place because the customers had chemicals in their hair that had to be removed.

“I was on my way to work from my office and my staff said it was like a car bomb. “Their ears went and everything. Another shop owner said he heard a massive bang, a huge sound.”

A shop worker added: “I didn’t hear the explosion but the building is badly damaged.

“The kitchen was on the top floor and apparently the building is unstable so that’s why they’ve closed off the roads.

“The restaurant had only opened in the last week and one of the workers was taken to hospital.” DUP councillor George Dorrian said he was thankful there were not more serious injuries.

He added: “It’s a very busy stretch of road at all times.

“Sadly a new business looks to have been ruined but hopefully the community will rally to support the owners and employees.”

Luckily no one was walking past at the time. It had just opened JASON SHANKEY EAST BELFAST

SHOCK Restaurant owner