A FIRE broke out after an explosion on a building site.

Neighbours in Lanacre Avenue, Colindale, said it sounded like a “bomb” went off as builders worked at the new Barnet and Southgate College campus.

Witness Dan Williams rang the fire brigade as soon as he realised what happened just before 12pm today.

He said: “The whole neighbourhood shook with an enormous explosion. It would have been heard a mile away, it was very loud.

“I thought it might be a distant bomb going off but actually, it was only 100 yards away from me.

“The fire and smoke have gone now. I don’t know if there’s been any local damage.”

Reports suggest the fire was set off by gas canisters. Four fire engines attended the scene. Enquiries are ongoing.

In a statement, Barnet and Southgate College said: "There was a minor incident at the new Colindale building late this morning, in which a gas cylinder on the roof exploded.

"There were no injuries and all site staff were safely evacuated, the resultant fire was quickly extinguished. There will be no impact on the completion date for the building works of the new campus and the building contractors are in the process of conducting a full investigation into the matter. "