Man hospitalised after house collapsed on top of him in gas explosion

One man was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital after the explosion (Picture: Getty)

A man has been rushed to hospital after a gas explosion at a house caused the building to collapse on top of him.

Another man has also been hospitalised after the collapse at a home in London Road, Blackburn, just before 8pm on Sunday.

An issue with gas at the property triggered the explosion, police say, and eight families in surrounding homes had to be evacuated.

The explosion caused the house’s walls and roof to collapse, with people seeing the building fall down around a man.

He was rushed to Royal Preston Hospital with injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening. A second man was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital with minor injuries.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said:  ‘We were called at shortly before 8pm 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.

‘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.

‘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.

‘We would ask people to avoid the area if they can.’

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council said 50 people had been evacuated from their homes as a precaution, but say there is no ongoing risk from either gas or the building collapse.

Council leader Phil Riley said: ‘The gas explosion must have been really frightening for everybody involved.

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‘I’m really sorry one family has lost their home and eight other families needed to be evacuated. I hope the man who was inside at the time makes a speedy recovery.

‘The council has been working closely with all the other public services to respond to the explosion.

‘I know that people in the community pulled together to make sure the 50 people who needed to leave their homes had a safe place to go last night which has helped tremendously.

‘There will be welfare officers meeting with them to make sure they are supported.’

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