A man was left with serious burns after a house blew up in ‘gut wrenching bang’ caused by a suspected gas explosion.
He managed to escape the Wheatley Drive property in Longridge, near Preston, before police arrived, but the explosion left him critically injured.
The man and two others, who both have minor injuries, were taken to hospital.
Pictures show an entire side of the property missing, leaving its interior – bedding, furniture and a now-falling floor – exposed.
Neighbours who felt the explosion shake their homes were evacuated after the blast around 10.30am this morning.
Some of the neighbouring windows were damaged.
One told Manchester Evening News: ‘I was in the front room on the computer and there was a hell of a bang. It went on for three or four seconds.
‘The whole house shook. All the neighbours came out to see what had happened. I hope everyone is okay.’
Eight fire engines from across Lancashire attended the scene, along with specialist rescue teams.
They are expected to remain on the scene for some hours, although the scale of the response has since been stepped down.
Road closure remain in place in the area, which people are being urged to avoid
Police are investigating the cause of the explosion, saying in a statement: ‘Emergency services have attended and found a man with serious burn injuries.
‘He was already out of the property when our officers arrived. He has been taken to hospital in a critical condition. Two other people have suffered minor injuries.
‘One property has suffered significant damage and efforts are ongoing to make it safe. A small number of surrounding properties have been evacuated.
‘A joint investigation will be launched in due course with our colleagues from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service to establish the cause and circumstances that led the suspected gas explosion.
‘We are also working with other partners at the scene, including the local authority, the North West Ambulance Service and [gas service] Cadent.’
Lancashire Fire & Rescue said: ‘At 10:31 on 01 September, eight fire engines from Preston, Bamber Bridge, Penwortham, Longridge, Blackburn, Clitheroe, Leyland, Hyndburn and other specialist appliances including Urban Search and Rescue units, attended a reported gas explosion on Wheatley Drive, Longridge.
‘One casualty was taken to the hospital by North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) paramedics.
‘Crews are likely to remain in attendance for some hours.’
Providing updates on X this afternoon, the service said: ‘We are flying a drone in the area to assist with our emergency response.
‘Please do not fly your own drone in the vicinity as this can disrupt our operations.
‘This incident has now been reduced to three pumps, who remain in attendance alongside Urban Search and Rescue colleagues.
‘Road closures are likely to remain in place for several hours. Please continue to avoid the area.’
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