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| Multiple casualties in Clacton gas blast | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Multiple casualties have been reported by emergency crews following a gas explosion and a fire at a house. | |
| The incident happened at about 08:30 GMT in Cloes Lane, Clacton, Essex. | |
| One eyewitness said the entire front of one house had collapsed and others were damaged. | |
| A fire service spokesman said: "The house is on fire and there are multiple casualties reported." Firefighters were searching rubble and dealing with "various injuries". | |
| There are still people unaccounted for. Emergency services confirmed that the incident involved a gas explosion. | |
| 'Very frightening' | |
| The nearby St Clare's Catholic Primary School has been shut. | |
| Gwen Mitchell, a Tendring District Council member who lives opposite the blast site, said: "It is very frightening. It looks like one house has gone; the whole front seems to be gone. You can smell the smoke in the air." | |
| Some people living in the area tweeted that the explosion caused their homes to "shake". | |
| Two semi-detached houses have been affected. Fire crews say they are letting the fire burn under control. | |
| Numerous other properties have been affected by flying debris. | |
| Essex Police said the immediate area was being evacuated, and an urban search and rescue unit is at the scene. |