17 December 2023 , 22:01
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A house has collapsed after a shocking explosion sent debris raining down onto the street, in a residential area, leading to search teams being sent out.
Shocking footage shows the moment a house along a residential road in Blackburn is torn apart in an explosion - with a man trapped inside. Footage shows the quiet street with a car driving along it before seconds later one of the properties explodes. Police have said only one man was hurt and his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
Emergency services raced to the scene after police were called at 8pm this evening. Neighbouring properties have since been evacuated and a rest centre has been set up nearby, at the Noorani Education Centre.
Concerned locals gathered in the street in the aftermath of the explosion
The shocking scenes of the ruined house after the explosion (Twitter/X)One man was rescued from the house and thought to be the only person hurt, police have said. But his injuries are not thought to be life threatening. Footage on social media shows the normal road at night, before one building erupts in a terrifying explosion, sending bits of debris raining down onto the road.
The cause of the collapse is not yet known and police are investigating to try and figure out what led to the shocking scenes, witnessed this evening. Footage from the aftermath of the eruption shows the front, top floor, of a house blown out, and bricks and windows scattered across the street below.
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As shocked locals walk about in the road, the car alarm goes off as it's covered with the remains of the house.
The local police issued a statement, saying: "We were called at shortly before 8pm this evening to a report of a house collapse at an address on London Road and emergency services including police, fire and ambulance were quickly on the scene.
Footage captured the residential area moments before the explosion"One man was rescued from the property by firefighters and taken to hospital by ambulance. His injuries are not at this time thought to be life threatening. He is believed to be the only casualty. A number of nearby properties were evacuated, and a rest centre set up at the Noorani Education Centre on Hartley Street and we are really grateful to them for their support.
"A number of road closures remain in place and emergency services remain at the scene. We would ask people to avoid the area if they can. The cause of the incident remains under investigation."
Footage of the aftermath of the explosion showed a ruined home, with a car in front covered in bricks and parts of a window (X/@vocnorth)
Locals described hearing an 'explosion' as footage captured the house erupting in flames (amarah!m/twitter)Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service said: "We are currently dealing with a domestic building incident on London Road in Blackburn. We have fire engines from Blackburn and Hyndburn in attendance, and our Urban Search and Rescue Team from Chorley.
"We ask people to please avoid the area during this time. Our drone team are using the drone to monitor the incident from above, so please do not fly any drones in this area."