Men aged between 35 and 39 treated for burns after blast in centre of Yorkshire town

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Five people have been injured in a suspected gas explosion at a flat in Batley town centre in West Yorkshire.

The men, aged between 35 and 39, sustained burns and were given urgent medical treatment after the incident on Wednesday evening. All of them remained in hospital on Thursday, West Yorkshire police said.

Officers were called to the scene in Hick Lane just before 6.50pm after reports of a loud noise. Residents in the immediate area were evacuated and the explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team were called to the scene as a precaution. Fire and ambulance crews and the air ambulance also attended.

A spokesperson for the force said no one was thought to have life-threatening injuries.

A witness in a nearby building told the BBC he heard a “massive bang” before glass exploded across the street.

Det Supt Pat Twiggs, said: “Police and partner agencies have worked throughout the night to ensure the scene is safe and there is no safety risk to members of the public.

“We will be continuing with our inquiries throughout today and would like to thank the local residents and public for their patience whilst we establish the full circumstances of the incident. At this stage, we are not treating it as a terrorist incident.”

Witnesses said they saw windows blown out, furniture blown into the air and a blue flash during the blast.

Tracy Brabin, the Labour and Co-operative MP for Batley and Spen, said on Twitter:

Tracy Brabin MP (@TracyBrabin) Police have released the following statement regarding a suspected gas explosion in Batley. My thoughts are with those who have been injured in the incident. I will share any further updates from our emergency services as I receive them. https://t.co/RSMAWon1bb

Yorkshire ambulance service said those injured in the explosion had been taken to Pinderfields hospital in Wakefield. Staff from the service’s hazardous area response team were also on site.

A police cordon was in place on Thursday in Batley town centre and drivers were asked to find alternative routes while officers conducted inquiries.