'Time-critical' rescue after suspected explosion

The investigation to establish the cause of the suspected explosion is ongoing

Firefighters have described their race against time to rescue a family from a building in Jersey after a suspected explosion on Wednesday.

Four people, including two children aged two and five, were taken to hospital after neighbours heard an "enormous bang" at a house in the Mont Pinel area of St Saviour at about 23:00 BST on Wednesday.

Fearing the building would collapse, rescuers took the children - who were unharmed - wrapped in blankets, along a path to safety through a first-floor window.

Station commander Ryan Hall said the rescue "was very time-critical" due to the unstable nature of the structure.

Island Energy said it had conducted all the relevant safety checks

He said the building could have collapsed "at any time", and the priority was "to save saveable life".

The parents were trapped beneath rubble on the ground floor of the property, Mr Hall said.

The father was the first to be rescued, followed by the children, and then the mother, the station commander said.

He said during the final stages of the rescue operation, crews felt "movement" and started to see signs of further deterioration - and the decision was then made to evacuate the house immediately.

Station Commander Ryan Hall commended the "quick actions" of the initial response crews

States of Jersey Police remain on site for the safety of the public and a cordon will be in place until Monday evening, the fire service said.

Mr Hall added: "This is no longer a major incident, and we now move to the recovery phase, led by States of Jersey Fire and Rescue.

"It’s expected to take around a week to be able to shore up the property and make it safe enough for investigations to begin."

The Government of Jersey said those affected would continue to be supported.

It said: "This weekend, some residents may have the opportunity to be accompanied back to their properties to collect belongings.

"Accommodation and essentials are being provided to displaced residents, with hotel stays extended into next week."

The government added that free GP appointments had been offered and plans for long-term support were being developed.

Police remain at the scene in Mont Piel, for the safety of the public

Chief Minister Deputy Lyndon Farnham praised the bravery of the attending emergency service crews.

He said: "We commend them for their quick thinking and actions in saving the lives of the family who, in the case of the two adults, were under rubble.

“The fact that two young children were removed from the upstairs of the property unharmed, when there were concerns that the building could collapse, is exceptional."

Island Energy said it had "completed all testing" at the site and had detected "zero trace of gas".

In a statement it said: "Island Energy has been given the green light to fill in the excavation outside the property so the relevant authorities can make the site secure and they will continue to investigate the house to ascertain what caused the explosion."

It added: "Our thoughts are with the residents affected and we will continue to provide any support required to the authorities."

Police said on Thursday the two children were unharmed, but the two adults remained in hospital in a stable condition with non-life threatening or life-changing injuries.