An explosion that damaged seven houses in Vlissingen in the early hours of Monday may have been aimed at relatives of a man involved in a fatal shooting at a supermarket in the town.

People in the city’s Bonenburg area and other sources who wished to remain anonymous told local broadcaster Omroep Zeeland that the people living in the worst hit home were related to a 24-year-old man who allegedly shot and killed a 44-year-old man at a branch of Jumbo during an argument on June 22.

Police have not confirmed the rumour but are calling on people with information to come forward.

The blast happened at 2.30am, shattering windows and dislodging roof panes. The inhabitants of the worst-damaged house were given accommodation elsewhere; the other neighbours could return to their homes, a police spokesman said.

One person was hit by flying glass and had to be taken to hospital, while two others with minor injuries were checked over by ambulance staff.