A house in Bristol has been ravaged by flames after a suspected ‘gas explosion’ caused it to blow up.
Terrifying images show the inferno tearing through the property on Lancaster Road, Yate, at around 06:50am today.
Medics quickly arrived at the scene and rushed three people to hospital where they are receiving treatment for burn injuries.
Two of those hospitalised are said to have been residents of the home which has been almost entirely burnt to the ground.
Their injuries are ‘not believed to be life-threatening or life changing’.
A fourth person was also injured by the blaze but these were ‘minor’ and have been ‘seen to by the ambulance service’.
Many surrounding properties have been evacuated with the fire service escorting around 40 residents from their homes on Lancaster Road.
Neil Lewis, who saw the flames while driving past, said there was ‘debris everywhere’.
Terrifying images show the inferno tearing through the property on Lancaster Road, Yate, at around 06:50am today
Medics arrived quickly at the scene and transported three individuals to the hospital, where they are currently undergoing treatment for burn injuries (Pictured: the aftermath of the inferno)
It is understood the surrounding properties have been evacuated with many residents being escorted from their homes on Lancaster Road
He told the BBC: ‘The house has gone up, it looks like an explosion.
‘Debris is scattered all over, with people out on the street. It’s unclear if it was the residents or individuals from the house, but it appeared that they were being attended to. They seemed shocked and distressed.’
Yate Town Councillor, Alan Monaghan, described the fire and explosion as ‘unbelievable’.
He added: ‘A lot of residents are out in utter shock. They can’t believe it’s happening. Some people are quite distressed.’
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police told MailOnline a refuge centre had been set up for locals affected by the blaze.
Authorities stated: ‘Police officers are assisting Avon Fire and Rescue Service following a presumed gas explosion on Lancaster Road in Yate at 6:50 am earlier today.
‘Three people have been taken to hospital with injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening or life changing. A fourth person has sustained minor injuries and was seen to by the ambulance service.
‘A cordon has been put in place and a number of properties have been evacuated. A refuge centre has been set up at a nearby public house.
‘Members of the public are being advised to avoid the area and keep the roads clear while emergency services are at the scene.’
A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust added:Â ‘We were called at 06:51hrs on Tuesday 29 April to an incident in Yate, Bristol.Â
‘We sent four double-crewed land ambulances, two operations officers, a critical care car and the hazardous area response team to the scene.
Two of the three people hospitalised are believed to have been residents of the home which has been almost entirely burnt to the ground
A fourth person was also injured by the blaze but these were ‘minor’ and have been ‘seen to by the ambulance service’Â
Yate Town Councillor, Alan Monaghan, described the fire and explosion as ‘unbelievable’
He added: ‘A lot of residents are out in utter shock. They can’t believe it’s happening. Some people are quite distressed’
‘We conveyed three patients by land ambulances to Southmead Hospital.’
Avon Fire and Rescue Service told MailOnline the fire has ‘now been safely extinguished’.
A spokesperson said: ‘We were called at 6:53am to reports of a gas explosion in a residential home on Lancaster Road, Yate this morning.
‘The explosion caused a fire, which has now been safely extinguished. A cordon has been put in place and approximately 40 people have been evacuated from their homes as a precaution.
‘Three people have been injured and have been taken to hospital with injuries that are not expected to be life threatening. A fourth person has been treated by the ambulance service at the scene.
‘Local people are asked to avoid the area while we deal with the incident.’
