Three people are seriously injured after a “gas explosion destroys two houses” in a small town on New Year’s Eve

Three people were seriously injured after a suspected gas explosion on New Year’s Eve caused two homes to collapse.

Emergency services were called to an address on Hugh Street in Whitehaven, Cumbria, yesterday at 4.23pm.

Police said two men and a woman were taken to hospital and several animals were also rescued.

Displaced residents have been offered alternative accommodation after people were urged to avoid the area.

It comes as Cumbria Fire and Rescue, North West Ambulance Service and Northern Gas Networks (NGN) attended the scene when at least two properties on the street were completely destroyed.

Superintendent Paddy O’Hara, of Cumbria Police, said last night: “Police and their partners are likely to continue to attend and work at the scene throughout the night.”

‘I would like to thank the local people affected by this unexpected event for their ingenuity and patience, as well as emergency service partners, local authorities and other partner agencies for their work following this incident.

‘Finally, I would like to especially thank the police officers who first responded to the incident.

Emergency services were called to a house on Hugh Street in Whitehaven at 4.23pm on Tuesday.

Three people have been seriously injured after the alleged gas explosion caused their homes to collapse.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue, North West Ambulance Service and Northern Gas Networks (NGN) attended the scene.

“Their efforts to help people resulted in their brief hospitalization for smoke inhalation, but I am pleased to inform them that they have since been released from the hospital.”

The community has now organized fundraisers for those affected by one GoFundMe page by Sarah Buchanan saying: ‘As I’m sure all our friends in Whitehaven will have heard, there has been a gas explosion in Hugh Street Bransty and it has obviously been a massive shock to everyone involved, including me.

“I am a relative of the family that has been involved and I know that this will obviously have a huge life-changing effect on my life in many ways, as it is early days I know, but the impact of this incident will clearly have a huge impact.” Until then, he lives on both recovery and reconstruction.

“We don’t know at this time the extent of injuries to everyone involved or what the outcome may be, but I believe any help at this time would be beneficial to the family.”

Another fundraiser by Matthew Stephenson said: ‘Today, Tuesday 31st December at 4.22pm, a catastrophic gas explosion occurred in Hugh Street, Bransty.

‘Three people are in hospital with serious injuries and other residents have had their homes destroyed.

‘At least two of the properties are completely collapsed and other houses on the road have suffered extensive damage.

‘Any money raised will be given/shared equally among all residents whose homes were affected/all costs associated with the gas explosion.

The community has now organized fundraisers for those affected with a GoFundMe page from Sarah Buchanan saying: “As I’m sure all our friends in Whitehaven will have heard, there has been a gas explosion in Hugh Street Bransty and it was obviously It came as a huge shock to everyone involved, including myself.

Another fundraiser from Matthew Stephenson said: “Today, Tuesday 31st December at 16:22, a catastrophic gas explosion occurred in Hugh Street, Bransty

Superintendent Paddy O’Hara, of Cumbria Police, said last night: “Police and their partners are likely to continue to attend and work at the scene throughout the night.”

One fundraiser urged people: “Please come together and donate as much as you can, on New Year’s Eve the devastation caused is unimaginable.”

Displaced residents have been offered alternative accommodation after people were urged to avoid the area.

‘Please come together and donate as much as you can, on New Year’s Eve the devastation caused is unimaginable.

‘Homeless children, seriously injured and homeless elderly, other property damaged.

“We have to come together to help in any way we can, any donation, no matter how small, is greatly appreciated.”