An investigation was launched tonight into the cause of a massive gas leak
which forced up to 250 families in Northern Ireland to be evacuated from their homes.
Health and safety officials probed the incident in which liquid petroleum gas escaped from a ruptured 30-ton tank and formed a huge gas cloud over Coalisland in Co Tyrone.
Up to 10 fire engines and 70 officers fought for 16 hours to contain the situation which senior officers said held "serious potential for loss of life".
Homes within a square mile of the leak in the Annaghmore Road area were evacuated, with up to 14 families forced to spend the night in a local community centre.
It is believed a plastic storage tank holding the fuel melted in the sunshine, but a spokeswoman for the Health and Safety Executive refused to comment.
Residents were allowed to return to their homes almost 16 hours after the alert began.
Mr Walter Johnston, the assistant area commander of the Fire Service, said he was relieved that a "massive explosion" had been averted.
"It was potentially very dangerous. A gas cloud formed this morning and was moving and if there was a source of ignition you could have had a massive explosion with the serious potential for loss of life," he said.
Mr Johnston said rain and fog in the area today had helped dissipate the massive gas cloud.
A spokeswoman confirmed that Health and Safety Executive officials were on site.
"HSENI will be investigating the cause of the accident when the site is made safe and cannot comment on the legalities of the issue at this stage," she said.
PA