An enormous explosion has rocked a suburban neighbourhood north of Brisbane, with a blaze breaking out in a townhouse.

Multiple firefighting crews were battling the fire in Murrumba Downs, in the Moreton Bay region, after the blast about 1pm on Wednesday.

Queensland Police said neighbouring properties had been evacuated and an exclusion zone declared around the Nambucca Close property.

“Emergency services are on scene working to contain the fire. Please avoid the area where possible,” they said in a tweet.

Aerial footage circulating online shows debris strewn across the surrounding area, including into neighbouring properties.

A large plume of smoke could be seen from the Bruce Highway while neighbours from streets away reported hearing a blast and seeing flames shoot into the sky.

“I’m in Kallangur and felt the house shake and the windows rattle. Just after the bang. Scared the s–t outta me,” wrote one Facebook user.

“Our roof shook and felt like something large dropped on it… Same for neighbours. We were all out in the street checking!” wrote another.

The cause of the blast has not been revealed, although there is speculation is was due to an exploding gas bottle.

There is so far no information about any injuries.

Debris from the blast was strewn across the neighbourhood. Photo: QF&S

Paramedics are also on the scene, although Queensland Fire and Emergency said there were no patients requiring its assistance.

“Crews are working to extinguish the fire, which has severely damaged a two-storey property,” QF&S wrote on Facebook.

“The incident is causing some smoke in the local area and people are asked to avoid Nambucca Close and surrounding streets where possible.”

There were also pleas on social media for sightseers to stay away, as blocked roads were hampering access for emergency services.

Anyone in the area is urged to stay inside with windows and doors closed. Those who suffer respiratory-related illnesses were told to keep their medications handy.