Illingworth explosion: Three people taken to hospital
- Published
The explosion happened at a house in Green Lane, Illingworth
Three people have been taken to hospital following an explosion at a house in West Yorkshire.
Onlookers said the home, in Green Lane, Illingworth, near Halifax, was "completely destroyed" in the blast, which sounded "like a bomb went off".
A woman suffered severe burns and a man was seriously injured, West Yorkshire Police said. A second woman sustained minor injuries.
The force said it was continuing to investigate the cause of the blast.
Ch Supt Sarah Baker said officers were conducting inquiries alongside the fire service, local council, Health and Safety Executive and Northern Gas Networks.
West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue said six nearby homes had been evacuated.
'Like a horror story'
Andy Sykes, who lives nearby, said: "It's been completely destroyed. It's a real mess.
"The house is at the end of a row of three and and it just looks like it is completely gone. It's like a bomb has gone off."
Footage from the scene shows a large fire at the explosion site
Candice Nevison described hearing a "massive bang".
"I saw people jumping out of the house, literally there was no front to the house," she said.
"I heard people saying get the old lady out who lives next door. They managed to get her out, I saw them carrying her over their shoulder.
"It was just like something out of a horror story."
An investigation into the cause of the explosion is under way
Benjy Bush, group manager for West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue said about 20 firefighters were sent to the incident following reports of an explosion at 07:30 GMT.
"Crews on the ground reported scenes of fire and extensive damage to the property," he said.
"We had reports that there were three adults in the property. Those adults got out of the property and they were being dealt with by Yorkshire Ambulance Service on the scene and then they were transported to hospital."
Firefighters were likely to be on the scene for some time and an investigation had been launched, he added.
A fundraiser for those affected by the blast has been set up, with people offering to donate clothes and food to the family through local businesses and charities.
Mr Sykes, who works at the Noah's Ark Centre, in nearby Ovenden, said the charity was helping to co-ordinate fundraising.
"We've had lots of people contacting us wanting to make donations," he said.
"I'm sure over the course of the next 24 hours the community will rally round and we will end up with a good bit of support."
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