Blackpool gas blast leaves shocking scenes of devastation

A gas blast in Blackpool left a shocking scene of devastation as a guest house was reduced to rubble.

Two people had to be dug from underneath the brick and mortar while several people were injured.

The blast went off just before 6pm on Saturday at the building on Charles Street, 700 yards from the North Pier, a tourist hotspot.

Photographs reveal the extent of the damage caused by the blast, with roofs caved in, windows smashed and walls collapsed into piles of bricks. 

A gas blast in Blackpool left a shocking scene of devastation as a guest house was reduced to rubble

Two people had to be dug from underneath the brick and mortar while several people were injured

Two people had to be dug from underneath the brick and mortar while several people were injured

The blast went off just before 6pm on Saturday at the building on Charles Street, 700 yards from the North Pier, a tourist hotspot

The blast went off just before 6pm on Saturday at the building on Charles Street, 700 yards from the North Pier, a tourist hotspot

Photographs reveal the extent of the damage caused by the blast, with roofs caved in, windows smashed and walls collapsed into piles of bricks 

Photographs reveal the extent of the damage caused by the blast, with roofs caved in, windows smashed and walls collapsed into piles of bricks 

Paramedics, firefighters and police went to the scene and nearby residents in the road and neighbouring Milbourne Street were evacuated. 

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: ‘A number of people have been treated by paramedics at the scene and two people who were rescued have been taken to hospital.’

Describing the rescue, a spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘When fire crews arrived, they found there had been a significant explosion. After speaking to local residents we knew there were two people inside.

‘One of them was on the phone to our control room saying they were inside, and we could see another casualty.

‘Firefighters had to sift through the debris, obviously being careful – there was still most likely a gas leak and the property was insecure. We had our urban search and rescue team on the scene. 

Paramedics, firefighters and police went to the scene and nearby residents in the road and neighbouring Milbourne Street were evacuated.

Paramedics, firefighters and police went to the scene and nearby residents in the road and neighbouring Milbourne Street were evacuated.

Two people were trapped and taken to hospital, where their condition is not currently known 

Two people were trapped and taken to hospital, where their condition is not currently known 

‘They were physically trapped. One had to be lifted down from the first floor on the ladder on a longboard.

‘We don’t believe anyone else has been injured.

‘It’s a row of terraced properties and this one house or block of flats, the front of the house is missing and around the back, part of the property has caved in.

‘This has just caused significant damage to one terraced property.’

RAC patrolman Richard Kay was attending a breakdown on Cookson Street when he heard a ‘deep-pitched explosion’. 

‘This was followed by flying glass, brickwork and window frames as the front was blown away,’ he told MailOnline

‘I called 999 and told the services I suspected a gas explosion and waited to guide fire and police to the exact location on Charles St Blackpool. 

The fire service added: ‘Firefighters and paramedics have rescued two people who were trapped following the explosion. Both casualties have been taken to hospital’ 

Lancashire Fire said: 'We've several fire engines & specialist appliances such as Urban Search & Rescue Team dealing with a suspected gas explosion in Blackpool'

Lancashire Fire said: ‘We’ve several fire engines & specialist appliances such as Urban Search & Rescue Team dealing with a suspected gas explosion in Blackpool’

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