Belfast road now reopened after smoke found pouring from manhole

Emergency services were rushed to the scene and an investigation was understood to have been under way to see whether this was linked to the gas network.

A short time ago a PSNI spokesman confirmed that ‘the Upper Newtownards Road in east Belfast has reopened’.

The area affected had been from Earlswood Road to Eastleigh Drive.

Earlier motorists are advised to take another route for their journey this morning and to note that the traffic lights at Sandown Road are not operational.