Emergency services have been called after a suspected gas explosion left five people injured.
Police, firefighters, paramedics, and Cadent Gas engineers were called to Tanfields in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, at around 6pm after an explosion ripped through a block of flats. A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service initially confirmed a "number of casualties" being treated by paramedics.
They told LancsLive : "We were called about an hour ago to an explosion at a house in Tanfields, Skelmersdale. We have four fire engines in attendance.
"Police and Cadent are also there. We are aware of people being treated by North West Ambulance Service."
The fire service later posted an update via Twitter, which confirmed five people were injured in the explosion. They wrote: "Four fire engines from Skelmersdale, Ormskirk and Bamber Bridge have been called to an explosion in a property on Tanfields, Skelmersdale.
"We are working with @LancsPolice and @NWAmbulance to make the scene safe and treat five people who have been affected by the explosion."
Cadent Gas have confirmed their attendance at the scene, but have not yet confirmed the cause of the explosion. A spokesperson said: "As the gas emergency service, we were called to an explosion in Skelmersdale this evening to support the emergency services. It is too early to speculate on the cause of the explosion.
"We will remain on site to carry out our usual safety checks and assist with the investigation. In any case, if you ever smell gas, inside the home or outside, call the National Gas Emergency service on 0800 111 999* immediately, day or night."
Abigail Nicholson, a reporter for the Liverpool Echo, has reported that three of the injured people have been taken to the hospital as a precaution, with none of those hurt believed to be seriously injured.
One neighbour told her that he heard a ‘huge bang’ which ‘shook the windows’ at around 6pm, and when he looked outside he saw the back wall of one of the flats completely ‘blown to pieces’ Another person said: "It’s in front of mine, felt my whole house shake."
It has also been reported from the scene that the explosion caused the walls of the flats to be blown apart. It has led to items including a sofa to fall out of the property.
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