The New Year started with quite a bang, at least it did for residents of an apartment block in Sabinillas today.

According to eyewitness reports there was an explosion at around 1.30 pm in a first floor apartment in Calle Mijas, believed to have been caused by at least one gas bottle.

The blast which blew out windows and doors and brought down ceilings, injured one person, an elderly lady who was taken to hospital with cuts and burns. She had been preparing a New Year lunch while other members of the family, including a young child, had just gone out for a walk when the blast occurred.

Besides extensive damage to the apartment and neighbouring parts of the building a number of cars parked in the Plaza Ginebra were also damaged by flying debris.

Several fire units attended along with police and medical services, but fortunately only one person was injured.

The emergency services remained to make the building safe and neighbouring apartments were evacuated whilst they checked there was no danger from other gas appliances in the apartment.

For pictures see http://theresident.eu/joomla/content/view/38/9/