Two injured in 'explosion' in Belfast city centre as emergency services rush to scene

Two people were taken to hospital after a gas canister explosion in Belfast city centre sparked a major emergency response.

James McCarthy

16:09, 08 Jul 2026

[The incident happened in the Donegall Quay area of Belfast (file photo)]

View Image

The incident happened in the Donegall Quay area of Belfast (file photo)(Image: Google Maps)

Two people have been taken to hospital after they sustained injuries following a gas cannister explosion in Belfast City Centre.

Emergency services were called to the scene close to the AC Marriott hotel in City Quays shortly before 1pm.

Four fire appliances, an aerial appliance, two Emergency Ambulances, two paramedics and a HART team attended the incident, Belfast Live reports.

An NI Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a 999 call at 12:51 on Wednesday, 8th July, following reports of an incident on the Donegall Quay area, Belfast.

"NIAS tasked 2 Emergency Ambulances, 2 paramedics and a HART team to the incident.

"Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, two patients were taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast by Ambulance."

A NIFRS spokesperson said: "Firefighters were called to reports of a gas explosion at Donegall Quay, Belfast at 12:58pm. Firefighters assisted 2 casualties with first aid and transferred them to the care of NIAS.

"One appliance from Westland Fire Station, one appliance from Whitla Fire Station, one appliance from Knock Fire Station, one appliance from Central Fire Station and an aerial appliance from Springfield Fire Station attended the incident. Firefighters left the scene at 1.41 pm."

Article continues below

Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.

[Irish Mirror Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Irish Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.

[Google Preferred Source Badge]

At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the "Do Not Sell or Share my Data" button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.