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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Explosion rocks Bath city centre | Explosion rocks Bath city centre |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| There has been an explosion on the construction site of a new shopping development in Bath city centre. | |
| A gas canister exploded shooting flames and black smoke into the air. There are no reports of any injuries at present. | A gas canister exploded shooting flames and black smoke into the air. There are no reports of any injuries at present. |
| Eyewitnesses spoke of seeing flames and smoke billowing from the site near Henry Street, by Marks and Spencer. | |
| A spokesman for Avon Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze was put out at about 1800 BST but they would stay at the scene to cool remaining canisters. | |
| Spokesman James Bladon said: "The fire is now out and we are cooling the cylinders to make sure there is no risk as result of further explosions." | |
| Five fire engines and a turntable appliance remained at the scene. | |
| Pictures of Bath fire The fire was on the third floor of the three storey building. | |
| One eyewitness said: "I saw black smoke and we heard a few bangs and a series of fairly large explosions." | One eyewitness said: "I saw black smoke and we heard a few bangs and a series of fairly large explosions." |
| Shops and offices in two streets next to the SouthGate development were evacuated. | |
| Avon and Somerset police spokeswoman Jenny Bigwood said: "Officers were called just after 5pm today to a report of a fire at the SouthGate building site. | |
| "The area has been cordoned off at the request of the fire and rescue service as there are believed to be a number of gas cylinders on the site." | "The area has been cordoned off at the request of the fire and rescue service as there are believed to be a number of gas cylinders on the site." |
| A spokesperson from Multi Development UK Ltd said that an "incident" had occurred on site "whereby a fire was started during asphalting operations in Block B." | |
| The £360m development had its topping out ceremony last week and it was hoped the first shops would open in early 2009. | |
| Bath Spa railway station closed after the explosion but has since reopened, though some station entrances were not accessible. | |
| Commuters with vehicles at the station were being warned they may not be able to get their cars out - which could be the case for much of Tuesday. |