Man dies after house collapses in suspected gas explosion

A man has died after a house collapsed in a suspected gas explosion on Friday.

Emergency services were called after reports of a suspected gas explosion on Kirkby Avenue in Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley, Lancashire, at about 1.20pm on Friday.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police confirmed one person died in the incident, believed to be a man in his 50s. “His next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time,” they added.

Tony Crook, the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service area manager, said the house collapsed around the same time that firefighters arrived on the scene.

Mr Crook said: “The fire was severe and spread to next door. We’ve now suppressed the fire.”

Specialist urban search-and-rescue teams and dogs were deployed to search for casualties in the debris of the house.

Mr Crook said the cause of the blast was initially believed to be gas.

Residents evacuated

A Lancashire Police spokesperson said a joint investigation with the fire service was in its early stages and ongoing.

A cordon remains in place around the property and local authority partners are assisting with the welfare of people evacuated from neighbouring properties, the force said.

People in nearby properties were advised to close windows and doors to avoid being affected by smoke.

Road closures were also in place and people were advised to avoid the area, police said.