Gladstone emergency crews called to explosion at Butler Street, New Auckland

Neighbours have given first-hand accounts of the drama which unfolded in a Gladstone unit block in on Tuesday afternoon. A police manhunt continues more than 18 hours after the explosion. Full details here.

Police are yet to locate a man connected to the reported explosion at a Gladstone unit block on Tuesday.

Multiple emergency crews were called to the scene on Butler St, New Auckland, about 3pm.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokesman said the fire was put out by the time crews arrived on scene and firefighters were working on ventilation procedures.

The unit complex in Butler Street, Gladstone.

Ambulance crews were also called to the scene but there were no reports of any injuries.

The incident is being treated by authorities as suspicious.

Neighbours who live near the unit complex say police attend the property regularly, with the explosion incident the second time officers had been there on Tuesday.

One person in the street said a man was seen being picked up in a gold coloured Mitsubishi Magna shortly after the explosion was heard.

Neighbours said a “loud explosion” came from the backyard of the property about 2pm, before dark smoke was seen billowing into nearby properties and people began moving their cars.

It is understood the explosion came from the backyard of the property.

Neighbours also said in the half-hour leading up to the incident on Tuesday afternoon they could hear screaming coming from the property, including a male voice which said “I’m gonna kill the b----”.

Police on scene said the explosion was believed to have been “homemade”, involving a gas tank similar to what is used on a barbecue.

At 4.15pm police were still on scene at the unit block interviewing neighbours about the incident.