Paul Lanham has lived on Coulter Street, adjoining New World Avenue, for six years, and said he had never seen anything like it.

“There was a very quick succession of gunshots, probably seven or eight,”he said.

“Then a huge explosion. I was sitting in my living room and I thought my windows were going to smash.

“I could hear this woman wailing, and I though for sure they would be finding a body in there.”

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Mr Lanham said he was home on Friday afternoon when the police “and what looked like a military procession” arrived on his street.

Despite the scene, he said he never felt unsafe and praised the police and Special Operations Group for their efforts.

“They did such a great job. I think they had control of the situation the whole time.”