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Birmingham explosion: House destroyed and others damaged Birmingham explosion: Man suffers life-threatening injuries
(32 minutes later)
One house has been destroyed and several others badly damaged This image released by the fire service shows the scale of the damage caused by the explosion
People have been injured in an explosion in Birmingham that has destroyed a house, West Midlands Police has said. A man suffered life-threatening injuries in an explosion that destroyed a house in Birmingham and badly damaged at least three others.
Emergency services were called just after 20:30 BST to the incident on Dulwich Road, in Kingstanding. Emergency services were called just after 20:30 BST to the scene on Dulwich Road, in Kingstanding.
Casualties have been reported but the number and severity of their injuries is unknown at this time. Four other men suffered more minor injuries and were discharged by paramedics.
Footage on social media shows flames, damage and debris from a terraced red brick house. Footage on social media showed flames, damage and debris from a terraced red brick house.
Evacuations are taking place and people have been urged to avoid the area, with Dulwich Road and surrounding streets closed. The badly injured man was taken to the city's Queen Elizabeth Hospital for treatment in its major trauma centre.
Following the blast and fire, evacuations took place and people were urged to avoid the area, with Dulwich Road and surrounding streets closed.
The cause of the explosion is not yet known.The cause of the explosion is not yet known.
West Midlands Police thanked those who had "helped shocked and injured neighbours".
One man posted on Twitter to praise his cousin, who he said had run into the burning building to rescue someone.
People in the area have been asked to follow the instructions of emergency services at the scenePeople in the area have been asked to follow the instructions of emergency services at the scene
Birmingham councillor Sharon Thompson said her thoughts were "with everyone involved in tonight's horrific explosion".Birmingham councillor Sharon Thompson said her thoughts were "with everyone involved in tonight's horrific explosion".
Six fire crews, three ambulances, five paramedic officers and a National Inter-Agency Liaison officer are among the resources sent to the scene. Six fire crews, three ambulances, five paramedic officers and a national inter-agency liaison officer were among the resources sent to the scene.
'Avoid the area' West Midlands Fire Service said six of its units had been sent and urged people to avoid the area.
West Midlands Ambulance Service tweeted: "We have sent three ambulances, five paramedic officers, the MERIT trauma doctor and critical care paramedic, wmcareteam WMASHART and a NILO to the scene." "The explosion, the cause of which is unknown at this time, has destroyed one property and caused damage to other properties and vehicles nearby," it said.
West Midlands Fire Service tweeted: "Six fire crews are in attendance at this incident involving an explosion on Dulwich Road, Kingstanding. Please avoid the area at this time."
In a statement it added: "At 20.38 fire crews responded to multiple reports of an explosion on Dulwich Lane, Kingstanding.
"The explosion, the cause of which is unknown at this time, has destroyed one property and caused damage to other properties and vehicles nearby.
"The number of casualties or injuries is not confirmed at this time," it said.
"West Midlands Police are managing evacuations in the area and we urge those local to the incident to follow the instructions of emergency service officers at the scene.""West Midlands Police are managing evacuations in the area and we urge those local to the incident to follow the instructions of emergency service officers at the scene."
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