Two are rushed to hospital after huge gas explosion at Blackburn house: Blast destroys terrace property with several other homes evacuated amid police probe

Two people have been rushed to hospital and neighbours have been evacuated after a huge gas explosion destroyed a terrace house in Blackburn.

Emergency services raced to the scene on London Road just before 8pm yesterday after being alerted to an issue with gas at the property that triggered a huge blast. 

Shocking video footage showed the walls and roof of the house crumbling around a passerby. 

Did YOU see what happened? Email eirian.prosser@dailymail.co.uk  

The man was rushed to Royal Preston Hospital to receive treatments for injuries which are not believed to be life threatening,  Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council said.

A second man was also taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital with minor injuries.

Footage from the aftermath showed crowds of people and firefighters gathered around the collapsed building as police partly sealed off the street.  

Lancashire Police said nearby homes had been evacuated and urged people to avoid the area while investigations into the cause of the explosion continue.

The force said: 'We were called at shortly before 8pm this evening to a report of a house collapse at an address on London Road and emergency services including police, fire and ambulance were quickly on the scene.

'One man was rescued from the property by firefighters and taken to hospital by ambulance. His injuries are not at this time thought to be life threatening.

'A number of nearby properties were evacuated, and a rest centre set up at the Noorani Education Centre on Hartley Street and we are really grateful to them for their support. We would ask people to avoid the area if they can.'

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

The local council said 50 people had been evacuated as a precaution, but stressed there was no ongoing risk from either gas or the building collapse.

Councillor Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, 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.'

He continued: 'The Council has been working closely with all the other public services to respond to the explosion.

'I know that people in the community pulled together to make sure the 50 people who needed to leave their homes had a safe place to go last night which has helped tremendously. 

'There will be welfare officers meeting with them to make sure they are supported.'