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Clacton gas explosion: Ten injured in street blast and fire Clacton gas explosion: Ten injured in street blast and fire
(35 minutes later)
Ten people were hurt in a gas explosion and fire in a residential street in Essex. Ten people have been hurt in a gas explosion and fire in a residential street in Essex.
The blast happened at about 08:30 GMT in Cloes Lane, Clacton.The blast happened at about 08:30 GMT in Cloes Lane, Clacton.
A man in his 70s was airlifted to hospital in a life-threatening condition and a woman in her 50s was severely burned, the East of England Ambulance Service said.A man in his 70s was airlifted to hospital in a life-threatening condition and a woman in her 50s was severely burned, the East of England Ambulance Service said.
Eight more people were taken to hospital with injuries including burns and broken legs. Eight more were taken to hospital with injuries including burns and broken legs. Four have since been discharged.
Two houses were "flattened" and a third is seriously damaged. Eyewitnesses described the street "shaking" at the blast and a strong smell of gas. The two most seriously injured were taken to Broomfield Hospital, which has a specialist burns unit. The other injured people have been taken to Colchester Hospital.
Two houses were "flattened" and a third is seriously damaged. Eyewitness described the street "shaking" at the blast and a strong smell of gas.
Essex Police said it had evacuated 19 properties; 10 in Cloes Lane and nine in the road behind it. The nearby St Clare's Catholic Primary School has also been shut as a precaution.Essex Police said it had evacuated 19 properties; 10 in Cloes Lane and nine in the road behind it. The nearby St Clare's Catholic Primary School has also been shut as a precaution.
'Utter devastation''Utter devastation'
It added that electricity supplies were being turned off in the area until it became safe.It added that electricity supplies were being turned off in the area until it became safe.
Wayne Reekie, who was one of the first people at the scene, said: "It's chaos, one house is down, there's nothing left of it, just rubble.
"There were two people trapped, and a couple of dogs, which I got out.
"I just wanted to help people, just get people out. There was a lady who was severely burned, we got her to an ambulance and kept her warm."
Gwen Mitchell, a Tendring District Council member who lives opposite the blast site, said: "It looks like one house has gone; the whole front seems to be gone. You can smell the smoke in the air."Gwen Mitchell, a Tendring District Council member who lives opposite the blast site, said: "It looks like one house has gone; the whole front seems to be gone. You can smell the smoke in the air."
Linda White, who lives 150 yards away from the explosion site, said: "We saw loft insulation blowing down the road. You could smell the gas; everybody was hanging out the windows saying, 'what was that?'"Linda White, who lives 150 yards away from the explosion site, said: "We saw loft insulation blowing down the road. You could smell the gas; everybody was hanging out the windows saying, 'what was that?'"
Assistant Divisional Officer Lee Palfreyman, of Essex Fire and Rescue, said: "The blast flattened two houses and badly damaged a third.Assistant Divisional Officer Lee Palfreyman, of Essex Fire and Rescue, said: "The blast flattened two houses and badly damaged a third.
"Debris flew in all directions damaging windows and roofs. Crews are continuing their work at the scene. "Debris flew in all directions damaging windows and roofs. Crews are continuing their work at the scene."
"The evacuation of properties is now complete and the gas board are in attendance assessing the scene." A reception centre has been set up at Clacton Town Hall for residents evacuated from their homes.
Crews added that an investigation into the fire had now begun and although not confirmed yet, it was believed that gas was involved.
BBC Essex's Felicity Simper, said: "The smell of smoke hit me as I arrived on a neighbouring road.
"It is utter devastation here. I am looking at a pair of semi-detached houses. One has exploded, taking the other house with it.
"The road is littered with debris, what looks like bricks.
"The scale of the incident is illustrated by mysterious bits of litter blowing all over the place. A closer look confirms it is loft insulation."
Clacton's Conservative MP, Douglas Carswell, tweeted: "My thoughts are with those in Cloes Lane #clacton affected by explosion."Clacton's Conservative MP, Douglas Carswell, tweeted: "My thoughts are with those in Cloes Lane #clacton affected by explosion."
A spokesman for the National Grid said the incident involved a gas-fuelled fire coming from a service pipe.A spokesman for the National Grid said the incident involved a gas-fuelled fire coming from a service pipe.
Five ambulances and two air ambulances were sent to the scene.Five ambulances and two air ambulances were sent to the scene.
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