A man has been arrested after an "explosion" at a house left two young children in critical condition.
Fire and police crews rushed to a terraced house on Coronation Crescent in Preston around 7.52pm on April 9 where a fire had broken out. Police confirmed a woman in her 20s and two children were taken to hospital.
The children, aged three and five, are said to be in a critical condition. Images from the scene show charred walls, smashed windows and smoke damage from the blaze.
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Today Lancashire Police confirmed a 24-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. The incident was described as an explosion by the leader of Preston City Council while police said it's currently "unexplained".
Matthew Brown, leader of Preston City Council, tweeted in the aftermath of the incident: "Really concerning to hear about the explosion at a property in Avenham this evening. Thoughts and prayers with all those affected by what looks like an extremely serious incident."
A spokesperson for Lancashire Police told LancsLive : "We were called at around 8pm yesterday to reports of a fire at an address on Coronation Crescent, Preston. Three people – a woman aged in her 20s and two children aged three and five – have been taken to hospital in a critical condition.
"Their next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. The incident is currently being treated as unexplained. A cordon is in place around the address and we are asking people to avoid the area if possible."
Lancashire Police later tweeted the "fire is being treated as unexplained" but one person had been arrested and an investigation is now underway.
