It has been reported that two teens were rushed to the hospital after a house fell due to an explosion.
A relative rescued a 17-year-old girl from the wreckage after the explosion, which left a man critically injured.
The 18-year-old guy, who was suffering from significant injuries, was taken to Royal Preston Hospital.
Following reports of a house fall just after lunchtime on Monday, emergency services were dispatched to the residence on Sefton Terrace, a primarily residential area a short distance from Burnley Manchester Road train station.
According to reports, residents rushed to rescue them from the house in the aftermath of the blast.
Sarah Jones, 19, who lives across the street from the end-of-terrace house, said she was at home when she heard a bang followed by scraping noises, which she now believes were the property’s windows falling out.
‘I got out and there was simply black smoke everywhere,’ she told the PA news agency.
‘I’m familiar with the family who lives there, and when I went outside, their relatives were waiting for me.’
‘I inquired as to whether anyone was present, and they claimed the girl was.’ She is 17 years old.
‘Neighbours got a ladder and were climbing up to the top two windows but then they realised she wasn’t upstairs, she was in the front room and had gone through into the cellar, through the floor.
‘She was covered in rubble and her relative had to pull her out from under everything.
‘We brought her across to my house and she said she didn’t think she was injured, she was more worried about how her mum was going to react.
‘She is very, very lucky.’
Lisa Gorton, 42, said: ‘I was just stood there and I heard a big bang like if you’re watching a movie or you see a building being knocked down.
‘I saw all black smoke and the windows went through and everyone came running out.
‘I rang the fire brigade. Everyone was trying to help.’
Local councillor Sarah Hall, who was at the scene to support residents, said the incident was thought to be a gas explosion.
Andy Fewings, also a councillor, said 10 houses had been evacuated and residents were being told to go to St Matthew’s Church on Albion Street.
Following the incident, which is reported to have affected residents living in many properties, emergency services are on the scene.
Several routes in the region have been urged to be avoided by the public.
‘Two ambulances, an advanced paramedic, an air ambulance, and an operations commander attended an incident following a 999 call at 12.11pm,’ stated a North West Ambulance Service statement.
‘We took two patients to the hospital.’ An 18-year-old guy with significant trauma has been evacuated to Royal Preston Hospital. A female patient was sent to the Royal Blackburn Hospital for evaluation.’
A statement on social media from Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service reads: ‘We’re currently dealing with an explosion in a house on Sefton Terrace, Burnley.
‘One person has been rescued by neighbours and taken to hospital. Please avoid the area around Sefton Terrace and Piccadilly Road.
‘We have three fire engines and our urban search and rescue team at the scene. We’re working with the other emergency services, local authorities and utilities companies to make the scene safe and assess the structure of the property.
‘Firefighters at the scene are now using an aerial ladder platform to make the structure of the house safe by removing coping stones from gable end.’
A spokesman for Lancashire Constabulary said: ‘Please be aware we are currently dealing with a house collapse in Burnley.
‘We were called shortly after midday to Sefton Terrace. Emergency services including police, fire and ambulance are currently at the scene and several properties have been evacuated.
‘We are now asking people to avoid the area, especially around Piccadilly Road and Sefton Terrace, and for motorists to find alternatives routes where possible.’
He added: ‘No-one is trapped and everyone has been accounted for is my understanding.’