A devastating suspected gas explosion in Swansea has led to three people become hospitalised while a body has been recovered.
Emergency services were called shortly after 11.20am on Monday (March 13) to reports of a blast in the Morriston area of the Welsh city. As a result of the blast, three people were taken to hospital with the house and surrounding area sustaining heavy damage.
South Wales Police said other neighbouring properties close to the blast were damaged. It was also reported that houses miles away from the scene were able to feel the explosion.
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Superintendent Steve Jones said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the man who has lost his life and those affected by this tragic incident. We are doing everything possible to reduce the impact on the wider community and allow access to homes as quickly as possible where it is safe to do so.
“I would like to thank the community for the patience and support during what is a challenging incident.”
Pictures from the scene at the junction of Clydach Road and Field Close reveal the extent of the damage resulting from the incident as police urge members of the public to avoid the area. An investigation is being carried out to establish the cause of the incident.
A police officer at the scene would reportedly not residents go past the cordon surrounding the area, saying: "We’re still not out of the woods with the gas. We’re not safe from another explosion.”
Swansea Council leader councillor Rob Stewart said a major incident was declared at noon, adding: “My thoughts are with the residents at this moment from what looks like an extremely serious incident, as we try and establish if everyone is safe.
“Our teams are on site and working with the emergency services.”
In a statement, Wales & West Utilities, which maintains the gas network across Wales and the south-west of England, said: “We were called to reports of an explosion at a property in the Clydach Road area of Swansea and immediately sent a team of engineers.
“On arrival, we found that there had been severe structural damage to the property and the emergency services were in control of the scene. We are now working with them to make the area safe – as we do on all incidents of this nature.
“We do not yet know the cause of the explosion and our engineers will continue to support the emergency services as they carry out their work.”
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