Two people injured in suspected gas explosion

A teenager was pulled from rubble by a relative after a house explosion that has left a man seriously injured.

North West Ambulance Service said a man was airlifted to Royal Preston Hospital after suffering major trauma in the suspected gas explosion in Burnley, Lancs. A female patient was taken to Royal Blackburn.

Sarah Jones, 19, who lives opposite, said she had been at home when she heard a bang followed by scraping noises, which she now believes were the windows coming off the property.

She said: “I came out and just saw black smoke everywhere. I asked if anyone was in there and they said the girl was. She’s 17.”