Emergency services called to Welch St in Southport after explosion

A building has been evacuated following a reported explosion at a Southport unit block.

Emergency services called to Welsh St in Southport after explosion. Photo: Charlton Hart

A woman has been hospitalised and a Gold Coast unit building evacuated following a reported explosion.

Emergency services were called to Welch St in Southport at 1pm on Friday shortly after the blaze broke out.

Residents of the unit block claimed the fire was caused by an e-scooter which was charging on the bottom floor of the building.

Emergency services called to Welsh St in Southport after explosion. Photo: Charlton Hart

Maddy Kelly was eating at a cafe across from the building when she heard what sounded like an explosion.

“It was so sudden - I jumped, my heart was racing,” Ms Kelly said.

“There was like people pushing their way out the front door. You could see the black smoke coming from the side (of the unit block).

“All the fire trucks and ambulances were here very, very quickly.”

A Queensland Fire Department spokesman said four crews attended the incident and had extinguished the flames by about 1.30pm.

Paramedics treating a woman at the scene for injuries.

Firefighters remained at the scene about 3.30 on Friday ventilating the property and monitoring the air quality.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

A number of police and detectives had been at the address speaking with the occupants and witnesses.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman said paramedics treated a woman who had cuts and abrasions to her legs.

She was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital in a stable condition.