Blackburn explosion: Man pulled from rubble after blast destroys house

Debris litters the road and pavement after the explosion at the terraced house

A man has been pulled from the rubble of a terraced house which was destroyed in a suspected gas explosion.

He was rescued from the home in London Road, Blackburn, just before 20:00 GMT on Sunday.

Lancashire Police said his injuries were "not at this time thought to be life threatening". A second man also suffered minor injuries.

Up to 50 people were also were evacuated and a rest centre was set up, the force added.

Residents told BBC North West that their houses shook and it was "like an earthquake".

Femida Patel lives in the house next door where her parents and one brother were at the time of the blast.

She said: "They heard a big bang.

"My mother thought it was an earthquake. They were screaming trying to get out of the house.

"But they couldn't get out of the front door as there was a lot of rubble."

Uwais Patel and his sister Femida near their home after the explosion

Ms Patel added: "They ran out and were in total shock."

Her brother Uwais Patel said: "Our parents are traumatised by what happened and the loud bang."

Their neighbour Rehana Mitha said: "The whole house shook.

"It was a big bang - people were screaming."

'Really frightening'

A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: "The cause of the incident remains under investigation."

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said crews were dispatched from Blackburn and Hyndburn stations, as well as the Chorley Urban Search and Rescue Team.

Blackburn with Darwen Council said 50 people had been evacuated as a precaution but said there was no ongoing risk from either gas or the building collapse.

Lancashire Police have started an investigation into the Sunday night explosion

One man was pulled from the rubble after the blast

Council leader Phil Riley said: "The gas explosion must have been really frightening for everybody involved.

"I'm really sorry one family has lost their home and eight other families needed to be evacuated.

"I hope the man who was inside at the time makes a speedy recovery."

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