Dawn Homes was using controlled blasting to clear rocks from the quarry in Kilsyth, where new homes are planned to be built.

But the explosion was far more powerful than expected and sent rocks through the roofs damaging five houses.

One resident at the estate said: “Rocks from the explosion went through the roofs of houses. In one case a boulder went right through into the lounge.”

She said debris from the explosion went right through a brick wall in one garden and “right through a conservatory and bathroom wall” in another home.

She added: “No-one has been injured which is quite surprising really. It’s a total miracle.”

Dawn Homes said debris from a controlled blast had exceeded the perimeter of the safety exclusion zone set by specialist blasting contractors on site.

“There has been some damage to local properties and Dawn Homes regrets any inconvenience to those neighbours and local people affected,” it said.

“Safety is of utmost importance to Dawn Homes and the company is taking this incident very seriously.”

The house builder  said it was undertaking its own probe into the incident and would co-operate fully with the police investigation.