Man seriously injured in explosion at flats

Emergency services were called at about 21:00 GMT on Monday

A man has been seriously injured in an explosion at a flat.

Reports of an explosion at a block of flats on Chase Road, Burntwood in Staffordshire, were made just after 21:00 GMT on Monday.

The man, in his 20s, suffered serious burns, said Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service. He was taken to hospital by ambulance in a critical condition, but no-one else was injured, police added.

Five other flats were evacuated. The cause of the explosion is still being investigated and anyone with information being is asked to contact Staffordshire Police.

"Multiple crews attended the scene and located a two-storey flat that had been damaged by an internal explosion," said a fire service spokesperson.

Gas and electrical engineers also attended the scene, they added.

The area around the block of flats remained cordoned off on Tuesday morning

A spokesperson for West Midlands Ambulance Service said the man was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham for further treatment.