A man has died in an explosion at a hostel in Dublin city centre.
Dublin Fire Brigade and gardai were called to the scene on Little Britain Street, off Capel Street, following reports of a blast inside a Depaul homeless hostel, after 3.15pm.
Gardai said a man was fatally injured and there are no reports of any other injuries.
The explosion was confined to one room within the hostel.
Residents were evacuated from the premises and a cordon was established, with traffic diversions in place.
Depaul said it was working with the Dublin Regional Homelessness Executive (DRHE) and was looking for alternative places for the residents.
It said in a statement: “Depaul can confirm that there was an incident this afternoon in our Little Britain Street service.
All service users will be evacuated from the building tonight and alternative placements will be found.
“It was a localised incident confined to one room. All service users will be evacuated from the building tonight and alternative placements will be found.
“Depaul are working with the DRHE and our NGO partners to ensure no person will be left without accommodation this evening.”
The cause of the explosion is under investigation, and the Garda Technical Bureau will examine the scene.
It is understood that gardai did not suspect foul play in their initial assessment of the scene.
Dublin City Council said that firefighters and advanced paramedics from Phibsborough, Tara Street and North Strand fire stations responded to the incident and brought it under control by 3.35pm.
A spokesperson said: “Our priority is to safely re-accommodate all residents tonight. Our sincere thanks to our NGO partners, An Garda Siochana and Dublin Fire Brigade who are assisting on the ground.”
In total, five fire engines were mobilised to the scene along with a district officer.
The assistance of ESB Networks, Gas Networks Ireland and An Garda Siochana was requested and the scene was handed over to gardai at 4.15pm.