Three people have been rushed to hospital with serious burn injuries and city centre buildings evacuated following a reported gas explosion at Chester Market tonight.
A cordon is in place after emergency services were scrambled to Hunter Street to deal with what police are calling a gas explosion at a premises within the market.
Engineers have isolated electricity and gas to the area as emergency services continue to work on the scene. Three fire engines are currently on site, according to CheshireLive.
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Police said at just after 7.15pm: "Emergency services are responding to what is thought to be a gas explosion at a premises within the Chester Market development on Hunter Street. Three people have sustained serious burn injuries. They have been passed to the care of paramedics and are on the way to hospital.
"An evacuation of the Market and surrounding buildings has been undertaken and road and pavement closures are currently in place in the nearby streets while the scene is made safe."
Earlier Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Firefighters are currently dealing with an incident on Hunter Street in Chester City Centre. The incident is believed to involve a gas leak at a commercial premises. A cordon has been put in place and nearby properties have been evacuated."
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