Two people have been injured in a explosion at an gas bottling plant on the outskirts of Cork city this morning.
The explosion happened at the Irish Oxygen plant at Waterfall around 11.20am when it's understood an acetylene cylinder exploded.
Five units of Cork City and Ballincollig Fire Brigade and four HSE ambulances, as well as three other HSE emergency vehicles including an advanced paramedic also responded to the accident.
Gardaí under Supt Charlie Barry of Togher Garda station also responded and have begun evacuating elderly people from neighbouring houses as a precautionary measures.
It is believed the two men injured suffered facial injuries which are not life-threatening but they have taken to Cork University Hospital for treatment.
It is understood part of the asbestos roof was blown off in the explosion and firefighters are working to make the area safe.
The plant employs about 20 people.
Irish Oxygen has two plants in Cork city producing oxygen and nitrogen gases by extraction from air, and acetylene gas chemically. The gases are used in welding and cutting metal, blanketing and inerting chemical reactions, purging pipelines, laboratory equipment, education and DIY.