Man critically injured in house explosion

A man has been critically injured after a suspected gas explosion inside a house.

The home on Wheatley Drive in Longridge near Preston was "significantly damaged" in the blast at about 10:30 BST, Lancashire Police said.

The man suffered serious burns and was taken to hospital, along with two others who had minor injuries.

Local resident Mark O’Connell said he heard a "very, very large bang", adding: "Unfortunately some people have lost windows."

He told BBC North West Tonight that some neighbours "thought that perhaps an aircraft had landed on a building - it was that bad".

Another resident Brian Seed said he had gone into his garage when the blast occurred.

"There was such a big noise, I thought my car had gone into my garage door."

Lancashire Police said the injured man had managed to get out of the property by the time officers had arrived.

Some nearby residents were evacuated from their homes, they added.

Eight fire engines from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service's fleet were called to the incident.

Fire crews have urged people to avoid the area while they deal with the incident, which was likely to take "some hours".

A joint investigation is set to be launched to "establish the cause and circumstances that led to the suspected gas explosion" while efforts are under way to make the house safe, it added.

Anyone with information about the incident has been asked to contact police.

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