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| Girl, nine, dies in house blast | Girl, nine, dies in house blast |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A nine-year-old girl has died and four other people were injured in an explosion at a house in Devon. | |
| The incident took place at about 0750 GMT at an end terrace house in Bulteel Gardens, Southway, Plymouth. | The incident took place at about 0750 GMT at an end terrace house in Bulteel Gardens, Southway, Plymouth. |
| The girl received serious injuries when a wall blew out as she walked past. A woman with her was treated for minor injuries at Derriford Hospital. | The girl received serious injuries when a wall blew out as she walked past. A woman with her was treated for minor injuries at Derriford Hospital. |
| Two elderly people, believed to be the house's occupants, were injured. A fourth person was also hurt. | |
| Four fire appliances were called to the scene, including units from the Crownhill, Camels Head and Greenbank areas, plus an incident command vehicle. | Four fire appliances were called to the scene, including units from the Crownhill, Camels Head and Greenbank areas, plus an incident command vehicle. |
| The flames were getting higher and then I heard all the sirens going off Clare Rogers | The flames were getting higher and then I heard all the sirens going off Clare Rogers |
| Crews tackled the fire using breathing apparatus, water jets and hose reels. | Crews tackled the fire using breathing apparatus, water jets and hose reels. |
| Four ambulance crews also attended, and paramedics treated the elderly couple for minor injuries and the effects of breathing in smoke. | Four ambulance crews also attended, and paramedics treated the elderly couple for minor injuries and the effects of breathing in smoke. |
| The woman injured as the wall blew out was treated for minor injuries and shock. | The woman injured as the wall blew out was treated for minor injuries and shock. |
| A fourth person was also hurt, but they are not believed to be in a life-threatening condition. | |
| Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service group commander Malcolm Carmichael said the house had been "almost completely destroyed" by the blast. | |
| The South West Ambulance Service said the building and the immediate surrounding area were thought to be unsafe. | The South West Ambulance Service said the building and the immediate surrounding area were thought to be unsafe. |
| Neighbours reported hearing a dull thud and then seeing a fireball and flames leaping into the sky. | Neighbours reported hearing a dull thud and then seeing a fireball and flames leaping into the sky. |
| Rubble was strewn up to 25ft (7.6m) away from the property. | |
| Clare Rogers, who runs the nearby Falstaff Pub, said: "All I know was that there was a lot of smoke coming the back of the bungalows, then it started getting worse and worse. | Clare Rogers, who runs the nearby Falstaff Pub, said: "All I know was that there was a lot of smoke coming the back of the bungalows, then it started getting worse and worse. |
| "The flames were getting higher and then I heard all the sirens going off." | "The flames were getting higher and then I heard all the sirens going off." |
| Leon Hawking and Jeanette Langdon, who live in the house next door, were called home from work by relatives who had seen what happened. | |
| Leon Hawking said: "We've had a look, and the next door neighbours' is gone, basically. It's all collapsed in. | |
| "You can tell ours is gone as well. We're not allowed back." | |
| Police said they were told that people could smell gas in the area prior to the explosion. | Police said they were told that people could smell gas in the area prior to the explosion. |
| Nearby houses have been evacuated, and gas and electrical engineers have been informed. | Nearby houses have been evacuated, and gas and electrical engineers have been informed. |
| Local residents have been advised to keep doors and windows closed. | |
| Plymouth City Council said the house was one of their properties and that it had officers at the scene trying to assist the emergency services. |