Three killed in 'devastating' blast in Jersey

1. Three people have died after an explosion in a block of flats in St Helier, Jersey
2. About 12 people are missing and one person is being treated in hospital
3. The search at the block of flats in St Helier will take days, even weeks, officials say
4. A large area of St Helier - including Pier Road, Pier Road car park and South Hill - was cordoned off after the blast just before 04:00 GMT
5. People across the island have reported hearing a loud bang and a large plume of smoke could be seen

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We're now ending our live coverage of today's events in St Helier, thanks for joining us.

These are the latest details we can bring you:

• At least three people have been killed after an explosion at a block of flats in St Helier, Jersey, just before 04:00 GMT
• Around 12 people are still missing, Robin Smith of Jersey Police said, with the hope that the number is a "lot less"
• Search-and-rescue efforts will continue through the night, police say

• The three-storey building was completely destroyed in the blast, the fire service says

• Searches currently taking place at the scene could take a number of days, police say
• The fire service attended the area last night, police confirm, but the cause of the blast remains unknown

In pictures: Before and after the blast

This first image shows what the building looked like this morning, compared to how it looked in 2010.

Smoke is seen billowing from the remains of the building, with Jersey Fire & Rescue warning the site remains "highly unsafe", after rescuers found more pockets of fires.

Michael Bewley - MB Infocus/Google

Firefighters attended site on Friday

Firefighters attended the site on Friday night after concerns were raised by residents.

Chief Fire Officer Paul Brown says the fire and rescue services were called to the scene at 20:36 GMT and an investigation was carried out.

But no further details have been revealed. Robin Smith of the island's police adds it is not helpful to speculate at this stage.

The cause of the explosion remains unknown.

Rescuers will search all night

Rescuers will search for survivors all night, Chief Fire Officer Paul Brown says.

"The plan is that we will continue searching. We have no other plan at this stage," he says.

"The area is being lit and teams will be working tonight, all night, and we will not stop for the time being."

Search could continue for weeks - police

Officials had previously said the search through the damaged flats may go on for days.

Now we're hearing that the incident could continue for much longer, says Robin Smith, Chief Officer of the States of Jersey Police.

"This is a protracted incident which is going to go on for days, maybe weeks."

BreakingThree dead in blast

At least three people have died following an explosion and fire at a block of flats in Jersey, Chief Minister Kristina Moore says.

Raab 'deeply saddened' by Jersey incident

UK Justice Secretary Dominic Raab has said he is "deeply saddened" after the explosion in Jersey.

News conference coming up

We're expecting to hear shortly from Jersey officials with updates about the blast that destroyed a block of flats in St Helier early this morning.

We'll be hearing from:

• Kristina Moore, Chief Minister of the States of Jersey
• Robin Smith, Chief Officer of the States of Jersey Police
• Paul Brown, Chief Fire Officer
• Peter Gavey, Chief Ambulance Officer

Bedroom 'shaken' by explosion - local resident

Daniel Hunt

Nineteen-year-old Daniel Hunt, who lives across the bay from the block of flats hit by the explosion, has been speaking to the BBC.

He says his bedroom was "shaken" by the blast.

"I hadn't gone to sleep yet," he says, adding he had only just got into bed.

"The explosion was insane. Everything shook. My windows were shaking, the whole room shook, my bed shook, you could feel the shockwave through your bedroom almost."

Residents supported in local church

Local residents impacted by the blast have been moved to St Helier Town Church where they are being supported.

The Government of Jersey says the Parish Church of St Helier has set up a space for people to light candles for those affected by the incident.

Location of the St Helier blast

The site of this morning's explosion is just off Pier Road in St Helier; the whole area was cordoned off after the blast that occurred just before 04:00 GMT.

BBC/Google

All help is being provided - bailiff of Jersey

The Bailiff of Jersey (who is President of the States of Jersey and acts as Speaker of its assembly) Sir Timothy Le Cocq, has issued the following statement:

"I, together with many islanders, woke this morning to the shocking news of the explosion at Pier Road. We know that there has been loss of life and people have been injured and displaced. We are awaiting further news.

"My thoughts at this time are with all involved either those who have suffered loss or those working so hard since the early hours to help those affected, but, in particular, with the families who are waiting for information on family members who are unaccounted for.

"The Jersey community response has been quite superb and the help needed has been and is being provided. Food and shelter and clothing is being made available promptly and effectively and, following discussion with Chief Minister and Government officials, I would like to assure islanders that, at this point, all that is needed is available.

"I have spoken with the Dean of Jersey who has kindly offered to make the Town Church available and from this evening individuals may light candles for all who have been affected by this incident. I, along with others, will visit the Town Church this evening to take that opportunity and to hold in our thoughts the families and first responders who have taken part in or been affected by this incident."

We're lucky to be OK - resident

BBC

Anthony Abbott has told the BBC how the flat he shares with his wife had been severely damaged by the explosion.

"We heard an explosion at about four o'clock this morning, we got up and we found [debris] in the flat, all the windows had been [pushed] in, the staircase had been damaged and there was fire everywhere outside," he says.

"It was very, very distressing", he says, adding: "I'm a little bit shocked, but we are lucky we're OK."

In pictures: Immediate aftermath of the explosion

Michael Bewley / MB Infocus

Smoke billows from the building where the explosion took place in the early hours of this morning

Michael Bewley/ MB Infocus

There was also damage to a nearby building, police said

Michael Bewley/ MB Infocus

The scene of the explosion in daylight

Hampshire and Isle of Wight fire service sends help

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed it has sent a team to assist emergency services on the ground in Jersey.

Some four members of its urban search and rescue team have been dispatched to the scene this afternoon, while more may be sent later, the service says.

Glass, rocks and stones strewn across blast area

Chris Craddock

Reporting from St Helier

BBC

I was at the scene earlier.

You could see glass, you could see rocks, you could see stones strewn across the area both on the pavement and on the road.

I was on the road just below the scene of the blast and even from there you could see how extensive the damage was.

Windows were shattered and smoke was still rising high into the early morning sky.

I saw the clean-up operation begin at around 07:00 to get of some of the debris in the area.

Police have cordoned off the area and are diverting traffic.

Since then, we’ve been speaking to people who were rescued from the area, and they’re shocked this has happened.

Site remains 'highly unsafe'

Jersey Fire and Rescue says more pockets of fire have been discovered at the scene of the deadly explosion in St Helier as the search progresses.

"The site remains highly unsafe," a spokesperson says in a statement.

Support line available

A telephone line is open for those seeking information about loved ones caught up in the explosion.

Jersey's chief minister pays tribute to emergency workers

Jersey's Chief Minister Kristina Moore paid tribute to the "amazing strength" of the emergency services in attendance at the site of the explosion.

She said 21 police officers, nine paramedics and 19 firefighters had been deployed to the scene after the blast in the early hours of this morning.

"I wanted to offer my heartfelt thanks this morning to all of the emergency services who have attended," she said.

"Everybody wants to help, we're really grateful for support."

How does Jersey differ from the UK?

Adam Durbin

BBC News Live reporter

For anyone joining our coverage who isn't from Jersey, here's a quick guide to get people who aren't familiar with the island up to speed:

The Channel Island, which lies around 14 miles (22km) from the French coast and 85 miles south of the English coast, has a population of around 103,000 people.

Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands, which also include Guernsey, Alderney and Sark, but is still quite small at just five miles long and nine miles wide.

It is important to note Jersey is considered part of the British Isles, but not the UK, because it is a Crown Dependency (alongside the Isle of Man and nearby Guernsey).

This means King Charles is their head of state, but the islands have their own governments, elections and parliaments - in this case known as the States of Jersey - who set laws around criminal justice, taxes, immigration and most other political matters.

However, some powers are devolved to the UK government, like defence and most foreign policy matters.

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