A man has died after a house collapsed in a suspected gas explosion today.
Police were called to Kirkby Avenue in Clayton-le-Woods near Bolton at around 1.30pm today (October 15) to reports that a house had collapsed.
Crews from Chorley Police, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and North West Ambulance Service rushed to the scene, where they currently remain.
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Police enquiries established a ‘suspected gas explosion’ and nearby residents were evacuated from the area.
Sadly, a police spokesperson confirmed a man in his 50s was killed.
"We remain at the scene of a suspected explosion at an address on Kirkby Avenue in Clayton le Woods
"Emergency services were called at around 1.30pm today (Friday, October 15) to a report a house had collapsed.
"We can now sadly confirm that one person has died, believed at this stage to be a man in his 50s. His next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time.
"A joint investigation between Lancashire Police and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service into the cause of the incident remains in its early stages and is on-going.
"A cordon remains in place around the property.
"Local authority partners are assisting with welfare for a number of people evacuated from neighbouring properties."
Lancashire’s gas emergency service Cadent told Lancs Live that it was ‘too early’ to say what led to the explosion.
A spokesperson said: “We are at the scene of this incident to support the emergency services and ensure everything related to gas is safe.
“It is too early to say what caused this.
“We’ll thoroughly check the local gas network and we will support the authorities as they look into all possible causes.”
Speaking to LancsLive earlier today, Tony Crawford, from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, said that the search is 'ongoing' for casualties.
Crews from the urban search and rescue team, along with search and rescue dogs, have been assisting at the scene.
A scene remains in place.
