A police spokesperson confirmed the evacuations were a precaution but that residents in the affected areas should be prepared to be out of their homes for 24 hours.
The areas affected in their “entirety” by the evacuation zone are Vulcan Street, Reeves Road and Shaftesbury Crescent.
Harrington Street, from Holcombe Street to Vulcan Street; Baseball Drive, up to Columbo Street, and Cambridge Street at Reeves Road and Shaftesbury Crescent are also within the exclusion zone.
In an update at 20:00 on Thursday, the force confirmed evacuated residents “will not be able to return to their homes this evening – but will be able to access their properties for a short time if urgently required”.
A statement said officers were still carrying out work in the area, and said further updates would follow after a meeting on Friday morning.
Supt Becky Webster said: “I want to thank all those who have been affected by today’s evacuation for their understanding and response.
“Being asked to leave your home under such circumstances is understandably concerning and the support that the emergency services have had has been excellent.”