One dead and up to a dozen injured after explosion at Jersey flats
BREAKING: One dead and ‘a dozen’ missing after explosion at block of flats in Jersey as police urge people to ‘stay away’
- One person is dead and up to a dozen missing after an explosion in Jersey
- Several flats have been destroyed in the early morning blaze
- Debris was strewn across the street while smoke plumes billowed in the air
- Two ‘walking wounded’ were also rushed to hospital for treatment
One person has died and up to 12 people are missing after an explosion destroyed several flats in Jersey.
Emergency services were called to Haut du Mont flats in St Helier just before 4am amid reports of a major incident.
Debris was strewn across the street while smoke plumes billowed through the air, as two ‘walking wounded’ were rushed to hospital.
A search and rescue operation is underway in an attempt to find people trapped in the rubble, but the scene is reportedly ‘very dangerous’.
States of Jersey Police chief officer Robin Smith said: ‘Following the explosion this morning at Haut du Mont, Pier Road, a number of residents are still missing.’
He noted the search and rescue operation will likely take ‘a number of days’, and described the three-storey building had completely collapsed.
‘From a demolition point of view, it’s like a pancake that has dropped completely down… It’s considerable destruction… It’s a devastating scene, I regret to say.’
Debris was strewn across the street while smoke plumes billowed through the air, as two ‘walking wounded’ were rushed to hospital
The fire has now been extinguished, but emergency services are still ‘carrying out significant work’ at the scene, which is cordoned off
‘Emergency services are working at the scene and have commenced a surface search of the site.’
The fire has now been extinguished, but emergency services are still ‘carrying out significant work’ at the scene, which is cordoned off.
People have been asked to avoid the area.
Locals have also been urged to avoid the hospital’s emergency department unless absolutely necessary to ensure the resources can be adequately used to treat victims.
It has not yet been established what caused the explosion, but Jersey’s gas supplier, Island Energy, has issued a statement, reading: ‘We are working with @JsyFire to understand exactly what has happened.
‘[We] will share more information once it is available. We ask that islanders continue to follow the advice given by emergency services at this time.’
It was also revealed residents in the block called fire services last night to report that they could smell gas.
Mr Smith confirmed on Saturday morning the fire brigade had attended the scene earlier in the evening.
This is a developing story. More to come
One person has died and up to 12 people are missing after an explosion destroyed several flats in Jersey
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