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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Andover house explosion: Man found dead | Andover house explosion: Man found dead |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A man's body has been found in the wreckage of a house that was destroyed in an explosion. | A man's body has been found in the wreckage of a house that was destroyed in an explosion. |
| The blast happened at about 02:30 GMT in Andover, Hampshire, police and firefighters said. | The blast happened at about 02:30 GMT in Andover, Hampshire, police and firefighters said. |
| Photos from the scene of the collapse in Launcelot Close, off King Arthurs Way, appear to show the remains of a roof on top of a large pile of rubble. | |
| Rescuers are continuing to search the area and a number of neighbouring properties have been evacuated. | Rescuers are continuing to search the area and a number of neighbouring properties have been evacuated. |
| A joint fire and police investigation is under way and a cordon is in place. | A joint fire and police investigation is under way and a cordon is in place. |
| Local resident William Cooper said he was woken by a "loud bang" in the early hours. | |
| "I looked out of the window and there was just loads of rubble," he added. | |
| He said only the "skeleton of a house" had been left following the explosion. | |
| Gas firm SGN said its engineers joined the emergency services on site in the early hours of the morning. | Gas firm SGN said its engineers joined the emergency services on site in the early hours of the morning. |
| "We understand an occupant in the property at the time of the explosion has died and our thoughts are with them and their family," it added in a statement. | "We understand an occupant in the property at the time of the explosion has died and our thoughts are with them and their family," it added in a statement. |
| "While it is too early to speculate as to what has happened, we're working closely with the emergency services to help identify the cause. | "While it is too early to speculate as to what has happened, we're working closely with the emergency services to help identify the cause. |
| "In conjunction with the authorities, we're currently working to isolate gas supplies to property numbers one and two for safety." | "In conjunction with the authorities, we're currently working to isolate gas supplies to property numbers one and two for safety." |
| Phil North, leader of Test Valley Borough Council, said: "This is truly devastating and our thoughts are with all those affected." | Phil North, leader of Test Valley Borough Council, said: "This is truly devastating and our thoughts are with all those affected." |
| He said the council had also been on the scene since the early hours and was helping to look after those residents who had been evacuated from their homes at The Merlin pub. | He said the council had also been on the scene since the early hours and was helping to look after those residents who had been evacuated from their homes at The Merlin pub. |