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House explosion in Seven Sisters leaves two children and adult injured | House explosion in Seven Sisters leaves two children and adult injured |
(about 1 hour later) | |
One adult and two children have been seriously injured after a house was destroyed in an explosion in south Wales. | |
Neighbouring properties and vehicles have been damaged in the blast at Seven Sisters in Neath Port Talbot. | Neighbouring properties and vehicles have been damaged in the blast at Seven Sisters in Neath Port Talbot. |
Fourteen properties were evacuated following the incident on Church Road. | |
Both children were flown by air ambulance to Southmead Hospital, Bristol and the adult was taken to Morriston Hospital, Swansea. | |
South Wales Police said all three have suffered serious injuries. | |
A spokeswoman said the cause of the explosion was being investigated. | |
"The road will remain closed overnight and diversions are being put in place. | |
"Around 14 properties have been evacuated and Neath Port Talbot council have opened a rest centre with full support for these residents," the police said. | |
Community councillor Gary James said: "We live further up in the village and all we hear is this massive bang and what happened then was a plume of dust and smoke blew up but then we were concerned personally with the people that were in it. | |
Kirsten Alison Williams, who was visiting family nearby, said the explosion made their conservatory shake. | Kirsten Alison Williams, who was visiting family nearby, said the explosion made their conservatory shake. |
"My father-in-law rushed up the drive and saw people running across the road," she said. | "My father-in-law rushed up the drive and saw people running across the road," she said. |
"What shook me the most was a small, baby teddy bear was there laying on top of the car roof." | "What shook me the most was a small, baby teddy bear was there laying on top of the car roof." |
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said crews were called to the scene at 14:05 BST. | Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said crews were called to the scene at 14:05 BST. |
Utility company Wales and West Utilities said it sent emergency engineers to assist. | |
"We are working with the emergency services to make the area safe and to investigate the cause of the explosion," said gas emergency service manager Sarah Burgess. | "We are working with the emergency services to make the area safe and to investigate the cause of the explosion," said gas emergency service manager Sarah Burgess. |
Neath Port Talbot council leader Rob Jones thanked the emergency services for their swift response and said the council "stands ready to offer whatever support is required". | |
"My thoughts and those of my council colleagues are with those who were injured in the explosion," he said. | |
"I know that Seven Sisters is a close-knit community, and that many will be feeling a mixture of shock and sadness at this time." |