Lidgate gas explosion: Two dead in Suffolk bungalow blast Published duration 7 May 2019

image copyright Terry-Harris.com image caption Aerial pictures show the extent of the damage at the house

Two people have died in a suspected gas explosion which destroyed a bungalow.

The rear of the home was blown out by a series of explosions at the property in The Street in Lidgate, near Newmarket in Suffolk.

Crews began tackling the blaze at about midday and specialist dogs were later brought in after two people were "unaccounted for".

The cause of the explosion is unknown and a joint fire and police investigation is taking place.

Officers said the fire was believed to have been caused by a gas explosion.

image copyright Terry-Harris.com image caption Police said the road was likely to remain closed "for quite some time"

One neighbour said it rattled the windows of homes further along the road, and described it as a "huge explosion".

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said it had sent four crews to deal with the blaze.

Fire officers had spent the afternoon trying to establish the whereabouts of the two missing people.

Incident commander Darren Reeve said: "We are working extremely hard to try and identify if we have anyone in or not."

Police said the road was likely to remain closed "for quite some time".

image caption It is believed a gas explosion caused a fire at the bungalow