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Derbyshire explosion: Fears people trapped in house Derbyshire explosion: husband and wife found dead in wreckage
(35 minutes later)
People could be trapped in a partially collapsed house following an explosion and fire, it is feared. A husband and wife have been found dead in a house in Derbyshire which partially collapsed following an explosion and fire.
Derbyshire's emergency services have not been able to enter the damaged property in Riddings, near Alfreton. Emergency services were initially unable to get into the building in Riddings, near Alfreton, because of the risk of fire and a further blast.
The alarm was raised shortly after 07:30 BST after neighbours heard what they described as a "bang". The alarm was raised shortly after 07:30 BST when neighbours heard what they described as a "bang".
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue said it was possible people were inside, but staff could not enter until it was structurally safe. Chief inspector Steve Pont described the deaths as "an awful tragedy".
East Midlands Ambulance Service has sent its Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) to the house. The emergency services declared a "major incident".
Homes evacuatedHomes evacuated
A police spokeswoman said it was too soon to say what caused the explosion and subsequent fire. He said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the two people who have lost their lives."
Gas has not been ruled out as being the cause, she said. The couple's family have been informed but they have not been formally identified.
David Lovett from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue said crews had found the building "well alight" and "partially collapsed" when they arrived. The emergency services declared a "major incident" and East Midlands Ambulance Service sent its Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) to the house shortly after the alarm was raised at 07:30 BST.
"When we received the initial call there were some suggestion that there may be possibly people inside, so we are treating it as a search at the moment. David Lovett, from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue, said crews found the building "well alight" and "partially collapsed" when they arrived.
"What we are prioritising is getting the structure safe so we can get inside and do a thorough search," he said. Neighbours were evacuated from their homes as a precaution.
Neighbours next door were evacuated from their homes. Police said they did not believe there were any suspicious circumstances surrounding the fire but investigations are at an early stage.
Mr Lovett said the investigation had yet to establish what caused the explosion. Earlier, a force spokeswoman said a leak of gas had not been ruled out as a possible cause.
The HART team is called to deal with chemical, biological, or other hazardous materials at major incidents.The HART team is called to deal with chemical, biological, or other hazardous materials at major incidents.
Are you in Alfreton or Riddings? Have you been affected by the incident? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.Are you in Alfreton or Riddings? Have you been affected by the incident? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.
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