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House destroyed in suspected gas explosion in Otterton House destroyed in suspected gas explosion in Otterton
(32 minutes later)
Police said no-one had been injured and all people were accounted forPolice said no-one had been injured and all people were accounted for
A house has been destroyed after a suspected gas explosion in Devon.A house has been destroyed after a suspected gas explosion in Devon.
Emergency services were called to Ladram Road near Otterton, at about 11:30 BST.Emergency services were called to Ladram Road near Otterton, at about 11:30 BST.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service confirmed a detached property was on fire and the road from Otterton Village to Ladram Bay would be closed for some time.Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service confirmed a detached property was on fire and the road from Otterton Village to Ladram Bay would be closed for some time.
Police said no person or animals had been injured and all people were accounted for.Police said no person or animals had been injured and all people were accounted for.
The fire service said the property was well-alight when firefighters arrivedThe fire service said the property was well-alight when firefighters arrived
Insp Mat Helm from Devon and Cornwall Police said the road had been closed for "public safety and to facilitate emergency service access".Insp Mat Helm from Devon and Cornwall Police said the road had been closed for "public safety and to facilitate emergency service access".
The fire service said the property was well-alight when firefighters arrived and there were units from six fire stations at the scene.The fire service said the property was well-alight when firefighters arrived and there were units from six fire stations at the scene.
It said crews had "split the incident into two sectors" to prevent the fire from spreading.It said crews had "split the incident into two sectors" to prevent the fire from spreading.
South Western Ambulance Service confirmed it had sent a team to the scene earlier.South Western Ambulance Service confirmed it had sent a team to the scene earlier.
A spokesperson for Ladram Bay Holiday Park, which is nearby on Ladram Road, said the park was still open despite restricted road access.A spokesperson for Ladram Bay Holiday Park, which is nearby on Ladram Road, said the park was still open despite restricted road access.
They said: "The road closure is in place following an isolated incident at a nearby property which is unrelated to the holiday park.They said: "The road closure is in place following an isolated incident at a nearby property which is unrelated to the holiday park.
"We are in contact with the emergency services to understand how long the road may be closed for."We are in contact with the emergency services to understand how long the road may be closed for.
"We are sorry for any inconvenience caused and will provide updates on our social media channels as soon as we know more.""We are sorry for any inconvenience caused and will provide updates on our social media channels as soon as we know more."
Wales and West Utilities said teams attended the incidentWales and West Utilities said teams attended the incident
Wales and West Utilities said teams attended the incident and found "severe structural damage" to the property.Wales and West Utilities said teams attended the incident and found "severe structural damage" to the property.
Dan Lawrence, the company's emergency service manager for Devon, said they were supporting police and fire services to make the area safe.Dan Lawrence, the company's emergency service manager for Devon, said they were supporting police and fire services to make the area safe.
"There is no gas mains network in the area, and so the explosion is not related to natural gas," he said."There is no gas mains network in the area, and so the explosion is not related to natural gas," he said.
"We will continue to support the emergency services who remain in control at the scene.""We will continue to support the emergency services who remain in control at the scene."
‘Devastating to witness' Laura Phillips had been riding her pony when she heard the explosion
Laura Phillips, an emergency care assistant from Budleigh Salterton, was out on a horse ride with her partner when she heard the explosion.Laura Phillips, an emergency care assistant from Budleigh Salterton, was out on a horse ride with her partner when she heard the explosion.
The 36-year-old said it sounded "like a bomb had gone off".The 36-year-old said it sounded "like a bomb had gone off".
"The sound was like nothing I’ve ever heard - my ears are still ringing now."The sound was like nothing I’ve ever heard - my ears are still ringing now.
"We headed to where the noise came from after I tied my pony up to the nearest gate.""We headed to where the noise came from after I tied my pony up to the nearest gate."
"We just ran towards the property, it was absolutely devastating to witness," she added."We just ran towards the property, it was absolutely devastating to witness," she added.
"There was bits of house everywhere - it was absolutely tragic for the owners.""There was bits of house everywhere - it was absolutely tragic for the owners."
Emergency services remain at the sceneEmergency services remain at the scene
A councillor who lives in the village said she was aware of the explosion, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.A councillor who lives in the village said she was aware of the explosion, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
Councillor Melanie Martin had been working from home when she heard a noise and "the windows in the house all moved".Councillor Melanie Martin had been working from home when she heard a noise and "the windows in the house all moved".
"I wondered what on earth had happened, and went outside and saw other people coming out of their houses and asking each other what they thought was going on," she said."I wondered what on earth had happened, and went outside and saw other people coming out of their houses and asking each other what they thought was going on," she said.
"The villagers and Otterton parish councillors pulled together to help the emergency services get through by redirecting traffic and helping people who couldn't get back to Ladram Bay.""The villagers and Otterton parish councillors pulled together to help the emergency services get through by redirecting traffic and helping people who couldn't get back to Ladram Bay."
She added: "I'm just really thankful that nobody was hurt."She added: "I'm just really thankful that nobody was hurt."
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