Two people injured in Portsmouth house fire

Two people have been seriously injured and taken to hospital following an explosion and fire at a house in Portsmouth.

Emergency services were called to an address in Nelson Avenue shortly before 2pm yesterday. More than 30 firefighters battled to control the blaze. A man and a woman were taken to hospital in Southampton suffering from burns.

Local resident Tom Cowlishaw, who arrived on the scene after the explosion, told the BBC his wife had heard an “almighty bang”.

Portsmouth Police said a full investigation into the cause of the fire would take place in due course.