Hand grenades have been found in a property just 15 miles away from a mystery explosion last night which left five men in hospital.
Emergency services were sent to Hick Lane in Batley, West Yorkshire at around 6.45pm on Wednesday following reports of a loud bang.
Upon arrival they discovered there had been an explosion – with five males, aged between 35 and 39, having suffered burn injuries.
All were quickly taken to hospital for urgent medical treatment and an investigation was launched into the cause of the blast.
Today, police confirmed that it was not a gas explosion and that they are treating the incident as ‘unexplained’.
It was also revealed that hand grenades had been found at an address in Albert Square, Yeadon – just 15 miles away from last night’s blast.
A cordon was put in place after a hand grenade and a smoke grenade were found at an address in Albert Square, Yeadon – just 15 miles away from last night’s blast
A police cordon remains in place on Hick Lane in Batley, West Yorkshire while police continue to try and establish the cause of last night’s explosion
Firefighters and gas engineers at the scene of yesterday’s suspected gas explosion in Hick Lane this morning
A spokesman for the force told the Yorkshire Evening Post: ‘At 9.55am today police were called to an address in Albert Square, Yeadon, after builders refurbishing the property found what appeared to be a hand grenade and a smoke grenade.
‘A cordon was put in place as a precaution. An army bomb disposal team attended and confirmed the grenades were not live and the cordon has now been lifted.’
The force confirmed yesterday that it did not believe the explosion on Hick Lane was terror-related.
But a police cordon remains in place in the town centre as police continue to establish the cause of the blast.
Detective Superintendent Pat Twiggs, said: ‘Police and partner agencies have worked throughout the night to ensure the scene is safe and there is no safety risk to members of the public.
‘All injured parties are still in hospital receiving treatment for their injuries.
‘We will be continuing with our enquiries throughout today and would like to thank the local residents and public for their patience whilst we establish the full circumstances of the incident.’
Witnesses shared photos of the aftermath of last night’s explosion on social media, expressing their shock
Emergency services at the scene of a suspected gas explosion in Batley, West Yorkshire, which injured at least three people
One woman revealed how she was sitting on the sofa at home when she heard the bang, with her kitchen walls caving in
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said last night that the fire had been extinguished and crews were likely to remain on scene overnight due to concerns over the structural stability of the two-storey block.
One woman revealed how she was sitting on the sofa at home when she heard the bang, with her kitchen walls caving in.
Zoe Palmer told the Examiner: ‘I was sat on the sofa and my partner had just gone to Tesco and there was a big almighty explosion and the kitchen wall came through and the windows and some bloke dragged me through the window to get me out to help. I’m shaken’.
While Hannah Patel told MailOnline: ‘I was just around the corner from the explosion. There was a huge boom and I presume a fire as the whole sky was filled with smoke.
‘I’m presuming this road is still closed and now all cars are being diverted. The whole of the local streets are full of traffic trying to get through.’
Fire crews, ambulances, police and a police helicopter were all spotted near the scene of the explosion.
One witness in a nearby building told the BBC: ‘I’ve never heard anything like it.
‘I came rushing out to find glass everywhere, some even blew 300 yards.
‘Then I saw two men exit the building covered in blood, smoking, obviously very shook up. It was like a war scene.’
Shocked locals shared photos of the aftermath of the explosion, showing smoke spreading through the night sky
Fire crews, ambulances, police and a police helicopter were all in attendance following the explosion last night
Police officers at the scene said: ‘It was a gas explosion in a domestic flat and at least three people have been injured and are on their way to hospital’.
Residents took to social media to share their reactions to the explosion.
One user commented: ‘Hope everything is okay in Batley. Heard the loudest bang I’ve ever heard.’
Another said: ‘Walking up the road in Batley and a bloody explosion went off! Hope everyone is okay.’
A third wrote: ‘Chaos all over Batley. Roads are clogging up. Heard the explosion very close to it. Pretty scary!’
West Yorkshire Police said in a statement last night: ‘Police and other emergency services are currently dealing with what is believed to be a gas explosion in the Batley area.
‘Officers were called at 6.47pm to reports of a loud noise.
‘A number of people have received burns and are currently being treated in hospital. It is not currently thought that anyone has suffered life threatening injuries.’
One resident wrote on Twitter: ‘Hope everything is okay in Batley. Heard the loudest bang I’ve ever heard’
Police later commented: ‘A number of people have received burns and are currently being treated in hospital. It is not currently thought that anyone has suffered life threatening injuries’
Chief Inspector Wayne Horner said: ‘I understand that this will have caused concern amongst the community; residents can be reassured that Police along with our partners from the other emergency services are on scene dealing with the incident.’
A spokesman for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said five people had been taken to hospital.
They said: ‘Crews are currently dealing with an incident at the junction of Hick Lane and Bradford Road in Batley.
‘They are working with Police, Ambulance and the local authority Emergency Planning Team to deal with an explosion in a two storey building, which is a block of converted flats.
‘Five people have been treated and have now been transported to hospital.
‘The fire is now out, and any remaining pockets of fire are being extinguished should they appear.
‘The incident was initially attended by 10 fire engines however this is being reduced to five.’