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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. | 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. | 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. | "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. | 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 a community facility. |