Portsmouth house explosion: Updates as investigation begins into cause of blaze which left two people seriously injured in North End
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Hampshire fire service said the ‘serious incident’ in Nelson Avenue, North End, Portsmouth, has seen crews from Cosham, Portchester, Southsea and Havant called in.
An air ambulance helicopter is in the sky above the incident.
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Live updates - Portsmouth fire
Key Events
- A man and woman have been seriously injured in a house explosion
- Around 20 firefighters called to Nelson Avenue, North End
- Fire service declare ‘serious incident'
- Police urging drivers and pedestrians to avoid the area
Cause of blast 'unknown' says fire chief as probe is launched
Investigators will today be sifting through the rubble of the home destroyed by a suspected gas explosion to try and find what caused the blast.
Firefighters last night had no answers as to what caused the huge explosion at the property in Nelson Avenue, North End yesterday afternoon.
The blast was so powerful it collapsed the rear of the property, obliterating walls and windows and blowing doors off their hinges.
It also left two people, a man and a woman, seriously injured and in need of hospital treatment.
Incident commander: cause of blast not yet known
Group manager Paul Reddish, the fire service’s incident commander, said: ‘On arrival our crews found a well-established fire. There had signs of an explosion. Two casualties, found outside of the property, were handed over to our colleagues at the ambulance service.
‘Quickly our crews got to work to extinguish that fire and did a very good job at not just extinguishing it but preventing that fire from spreading to the neighbouring properties.
‘At this stage we’re unable to determine exactly where the explosion was, not being able to get into the property concerned.
‘At this stage the cause of the explosion is unknown and the exact location of that explosion is also unknown.’
Neighbours react in shock to explosion
Terrified neighbours described moment the homes 'shook' as house exploded
NEIGBOURS living opposite a home that exploded have told of their terror at seeing the property being obliterated.
Families in affected properties offered alternative council accommodation
Portsmouth City CouncilWe have liaison officers and structural engineers on site to assist the fire service.
We are working to identify the status of other properties and residents to find out what support they need.
We have offered accommodation to families that we know we will be unable to return home.
Residents that are unable to park near their properties due to road closures can park at the nearby Mountbatten Leisure Centre car park.
Road closures
Portsmouth house explosion: List of police road closures in full
MULTIPLE road closures are in place after a house explosion that saw two people seriously injured.
Gas company engineers 'making site safe’
Katie Lobban, spokesperson for gas distribution company SGNAt around 2pm today we received a request to assist the emergency services following the reports of an explosion in Nelson Avenue, Portsmouth.
Our engineers are currently assisting the emergency services to ensure the immediate vicinity is made safe in our role as the gas emergency service.
Six road closures in place - police
Multiple road closures are in place as Hampshire police respond to the incident alongside paramedics and fire crews.
Hampshire policeWe were called at 1.54pm this afternoon to a house fire at an address on Nelson Avenue, Portsmouth.
Officers are currently at the scene.
Road closures are in place on Nelson Avenue, Ophir Road, Oriel Road and Gladys Avenue from Northern Road up to North End Avenue.
The bottom of Cardiff Road, leading onto North End Road, is also closed.
We’re asking residents to please avoid the area at this time.
We will provide more information as soon as we can.
Man and woman seriously injured
A man and woman - both adults - have been seriously injured in the ‘building explosion,’ South Central Ambulance Service has told The News.
They were called at 1.55pm with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and others treating both patients at the scene.
They are in a ‘serious condition’ and have been taken to Southampton General Hospital.
A spokeswoman said: ‘Both patients have been treated at the scene by all our crews and taken by ambulance accompanied by the ambulance crew and air ambulance crew, to University Hospital Southampton.
‘Our ambulance crews have left scene and our Hazardous Area Response Team and ambulance officers will remain on scene.’
She added: ‘We have sent to the scene our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) four ambulance officers, two ambulance crews and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance who have been working in partnership with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire Service, Hampshire Police, power companies and local authorities.’