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Clacton gas explosion: Ten injured in street blast and fire Clacton gas explosion: Ten injured and houses flattened
(about 1 hour later)
Ten people have been hurt in a gas explosion and fire at a residential street in Essex. Ten people have been injured in a gas explosion that "flattened" two houses on a street in Clacton, Essex.
The blast happened at about 08:30 GMT in Cloes Lane, Clacton. A man in his 70s was flown to hospital with life-threatening injuries and a woman in her 50s was badly burnt in the fire that followed.
A man in his 70s was airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries and a woman in her 50s was severely burned, the East of England Ambulance Service said. Eyewitnesses described the street, Cloes Lane, "shaking" at the explosion, while Essex assistant chief fire officer Paul Hill said the power of the blast was "extraordinary".
Eight more people were taken to hospital with injuries including burns and broken legs. Four were discharged. A third house was also badly damaged.
The two most seriously injured were taken to Broomfield Hospital, which has a specialist burns unit. The other injured people were taken to Colchester Hospital.
Two houses were "flattened" and a third has been seriously damaged. Eyewitness described the street "shaking" at the blast and a strong smell of gas.
Assistant chief fire officer Paul Hill said it appeared to be a gas explosion at a house, adding the power was "extraordinary" and had damaged other homes in neighbouring streets.
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. Mr Hill said the explosion, which happened at about 08:30 GMT, had even damaged other homes in neighbouring streets.
Wayne Reekie, who pulled people from the wreckage, said: "It's chaos, one house is down, there's nothing left of it, just rubble. The two most seriously injured people were taken to Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, which has a specialist burns unit. Eight others were taken to Colchester Hospital with injuries including burns and broken legs. Four have since been discharged.
Essex Police said 19 properties had been evacuated; 10 in Cloes Lane and nine in the road behind it.
Wayne Reekie, who pulled people from the wreckage, 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."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." "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."
Lynda Brown, who lives 150 yards away from the explosion, said: "We saw loft insulation blowing down the road. You could smell the gas; everybody was hanging out the windows saying, 'what was that?'"Lynda Brown, who lives 150 yards away from the explosion, said: "We saw loft insulation blowing down the road. You could smell the gas; everybody was hanging out the windows saying, 'what was that?'"
'Turned to jelly''Turned to jelly'
Dave Brown, 70, was walking past the scene on his way to buy a newspaper when the explosion happened. Dave Brown, 70, was on his way to buy a newspaper when the explosion happened.
"I heard a bang and at first I thought it was two cars hitting each other," he said."I heard a bang and at first I thought it was two cars hitting each other," he said.
"The explosion pushed me forwards and knocked me off my feet. A bloke in a car got out and said 'Are you all right?' He said a house had exploded."The explosion pushed me forwards and knocked me off my feet. A bloke in a car got out and said 'Are you all right?' He said a house had exploded.
"I saw a bloke climbing out with no clothes on. There was a man downstairs trying to climb up on the debris and a woman of about 70 or 80 trapped under the building."I saw a bloke climbing out with no clothes on. There was a man downstairs trying to climb up on the debris and a woman of about 70 or 80 trapped under the building.
"I tried to go and help them but my head was spinning and my legs turned to jelly. I stood there and felt helpless. By this time other people had come to help them.""I tried to go and help them but my head was spinning and my legs turned to jelly. I stood there and felt helpless. By this time other people had come to help them."
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."
A reception centre has been set up at Clacton Town Hall for residents evacuated from their homes.A reception centre has been set up at Clacton Town Hall for residents evacuated from their homes.
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."
'Belongings destroyed'
A Facebook group has already been set up to support and offer donations to the victims of the blast.A Facebook group has already been set up to support and offer donations to the victims of the blast.
Paul Reed wrote on the page: "My mum and other family was in the house you are seeing on the news, all of them are in hospital being treated, but don't have any news at the min.Paul Reed wrote on the page: "My mum and other family was in the house you are seeing on the news, all of them are in hospital being treated, but don't have any news at the min.
"All of the belongings have been destroyed.""All of the belongings have been destroyed."
Kerry Jones-Montague, from Clacton, who set up the group, said: "People are offering lifts, furniture, crockery, whatever they can."Kerry Jones-Montague, from Clacton, who set up the group, said: "People are offering lifts, furniture, crockery, whatever they can."
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