Skelmersdale: Five hurt in suspected explosion at block of flats
- Published
The blast has caused considerable damage to two flats
Five people have been hurt in a suspected explosion which caused significant damage to two flats in Lancashire.
It happened at Tanfields in Skelmersdale shortly after 18:00 BST on Tuesday, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) said.
Three people were taken to hospital, one with a minor head injury and the other two for precautionary checks.
Two other people escaped from the flats and did not go to hospital, LFRS said.
The suspected explosion happened shortly after 18:00 BST
Three people were taken to hospital
Incident commander Tom Cookson from LFRS said the blast caused significant damage to a ground floor and first-floor flat which has affected the structure of the building.
Four people escaped from the first-floor flat and one person from the ground floor property.
"Three people have been taken to hospital with minor injuries," he said.
He said the blast had not damaged neighbouring properties but a number of people living in them had been evacuated as a precaution.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said it would be at the scene for some time
Between six and 10 people were unable to return to their flats and may not be allowed back in their homes overnight, he said.
West Lancashire Council is at the scene supporting residents who have been moved.
"At this time we do not know what the cause is, it is currently being investigated," Mr Cookson said.
He added that Electricity North West, Cadent Gas and the fire service's own investigators were probing the cause.
Four fire engines attended the scene - two from Skelmersdale, and one from Ormskirk and Bamber Bridge.
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