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Blackpool 'gas explosion': Four people injured Blackpool guest house 'gas explosion': Four people hurt
(about 2 hours later)
Four people have been hurt in a suspected gas explosion at a Blackpool guest house, with two airlifted to hospital.Four people have been hurt in a suspected gas explosion at a Blackpool guest house, with two airlifted to hospital.
Fire crews and paramedics rescued two people trapped in the Charles Street building after what residents called a "massive blast" just before 18:00 BST.Fire crews and paramedics rescued two people trapped in the Charles Street building after what residents called a "massive blast" just before 18:00 BST.
North West Ambulance Service said one person had "major trauma injuries".North West Ambulance Service said one person had "major trauma injuries".
Surrounding roads have been closed and residents in the street - and nearby Milbourne Street - were evacuated.Surrounding roads have been closed and residents in the street - and nearby Milbourne Street - were evacuated.
Lancashire Police advised people to avoid the area.Lancashire Police advised people to avoid the area.
Neighbouring resident William Burrows described hearing a loud "whoosh", adding: "It was a total nightmare.Neighbouring resident William Burrows described hearing a loud "whoosh", adding: "It was a total nightmare.
"Everything just came crumbling in... next door came down like a pack of cards.""Everything just came crumbling in... next door came down like a pack of cards."
Another local, Paul Marks, said: "There was water, dust and rubble everywhere. It was absolute carnage."Another local, Paul Marks, said: "There was water, dust and rubble everywhere. It was absolute carnage."
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said two people were trapped and had to be rescued from the building.Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said two people were trapped and had to be rescued from the building.
A spokesman said: "After speaking to local residents we knew there were two people inside.A spokesman said: "After speaking to local residents we knew there were two people inside.
"One of them was on the phone to our control room saying they were inside, and we could see another casualty."One of them was on the phone to our control room saying they were inside, and we could see another casualty.
""They were physically trapped.""They were physically trapped.
"One had to be lifted down from the first floor on the ladder on a longboard."One had to be lifted down from the first floor on the ladder on a longboard.
"We don't believe anyone else has been injured.""We don't believe anyone else has been injured."
The spokesman said the blast had caused "significant damage" to one property.The spokesman said the blast had caused "significant damage" to one property.
"It's a row of terraced properties and this one house or block of flats, the front of the house is missing and around the back, part of the property has caved in," he said."It's a row of terraced properties and this one house or block of flats, the front of the house is missing and around the back, part of the property has caved in," he said.
Gas engineers had been called and were investigating the cause of the explosion, he added.Gas engineers had been called and were investigating the cause of the explosion, he added.
The force said people affected by the evacuation could seek shelter at St John's Church on Church Street or the Salvation Army citadel on Raikes Parade.The force said people affected by the evacuation could seek shelter at St John's Church on Church Street or the Salvation Army citadel on Raikes Parade.