Entire house in Blackburn collapses after huge explosion as neighbours evacuated & man rushed to hospital
A HOUSE has collapsed and one man is in hospital tonight following a devastating explosion in Lancashire.
The explosion in Blackburn sent debris raining down onto the street.
Families were evacuated from their homes in the city as emergency services, including search and rescue teams, scrambled to the scene in London Road shortly before 8pm.
Footage shows a car driving down the suburban street before the terrifying explosion sent a plume of debris falling to the ground, covering cars parked outside.
Roads have been closed in the surrounding streets with police urging people to avoid the area.
The man's injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
The cause of the incident remains under investigation.
One man was hurt in the blast.
An evacuation centre was set up at an education centre nearby.
A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “We were called at shortly before 8pm this evening to a report of a house collapse at an address on London Road and emergency services including police, fire and ambulance were quickly on the scene.
A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “We were called at shortly before 8pm this evening to a report of a house collapse at an address on London Road and emergency services including police, fire and ambulance were quickly on the scene.
"One man was rescued from the property by firefighters and taken to hospital by ambulance.
“His injuries are not at this time thought to be life threatening. He is believed to be the only casualty.
“A number of nearby properties were evacuated, and a rest centre set up at the Noorani Education Centre on Hartley Street and we are really grateful to them for their support.”