Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Sunday, 1st September 2024, at 11:40hrs
Eight fire engines from across Lancashire including Urban Search & Rescue units are in attendance.
Emergency services rushed to the scene of a gas explosion this morning (Sunday 1st September)
Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service alongside Lancashire Police and North West Ambulance Service were scrambled to the area shortly after 10:30am to reports of a gas explosion at a residential property in Wheatley Drive, Longridge.
A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service said,
At 10:31 on 01 September, eight fire engines from Preston, Bamber Bridge, Penwortham, Longridge, Blackburn, Clitheroe, Leyland, Hyndburn and other specialist appliances including Urban Search and Rescue units, attended a reported gas explosion on Wheatley Drive, Longridge.
Crews are likely to remain in attendance for some hours. Please avoid the area.
Nearby homes have been evacuated as a result.
The community of Longridge took to social media to express their shock in hearing a loud bang and learning what had happened.
One person said, just heard a loud bang, like an explosion whilst at the civic hall.
Another person said, I hope everyone is OK and not hurt in this explosion.
Photos from the scene show a domestic property with extensive damage, which indicates the extent of the explosion.
Longridge Civic Hall said in a social media post,
“We are an emergency information centre so if anyone is in need of somewhere to go we are open so don’t hesitate to come, the kitchen is open too.
In a statement released today, Lancashire Police said,
“Some of you will have seen a significant emergency service presence in Longridge and we just wanted to let you know what we are doing there.
Our officers were called to Wheatley Drive, Longridge, at 10.31am today following reports of a gas explosion.
Emergency services have attended and found a man with serious burn injuries. He was already out of the property when our officers arrived. He has been taken to hospital in a critical condition. Two other people have suffered minor injuries.
One property has suffered significant damage and efforts are ongoing to make it safe. A small number of surrounding properties have been evacuated.
A joint investigation will be launched in due course with our colleagues from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service to establish the cause and circumstances that led the suspected gas explosion. We are also working with other partners at the scene, including the local authority, the North West Ambulance Service and Cadent.
Anyone with information is asked to email or call 101. Quote log 492 of 1st September 2024.
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