A suspected gas explosion in Yate, near Bristol, has destroyed a house and left three people in hospital, as emergency services continue to secure the scene and investigate the cause.
Crews from Avon Fire and Rescue Service were called to Lancaster Road at 6:53am BST, where a severe blaze had engulfed a residential property.
The fire quickly spread to adjoining homes, prompting the evacuation of over 40 local residents.
The explosion caused significant structural damage, reducing the home to rubble and sending debris into the sky. Emergency teams established a safety cordon around the site, and a temporary refuge centre was opened at the nearby Farmhouse pub to support displaced residents.
Three people were taken to hospital following the incident. Two of them are believed to have lived at the destroyed property.
According to Avon and Somerset Police, their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening or life-changing. A fourth person sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene.
Local resident Rich Cainey, who lives next door to the damaged house, described being thrown from his bed by the force of the blast. He rushed outside to find the neighbouring home engulfed in flames. His father, a retired police officer, entered the wreckage to help rescue occupants.
The explosion also triggered a search for a dog belonging to the homeowner. The animal was later found unharmed, reportedly half a mile away from the blast site.
Emergency services have confirmed that the fire has been fully extinguished. A safety cordon remains in place, and residents are advised to avoid the area while investigations continue.
Avon Fire and Rescue Service is working alongside police and gas safety experts to determine the exact cause of the explosion.
