One person remains unaccounted for and three people have been taken to hospital following a suspected gas explosion in Wales.
Emergency services were called at just after 11.20am on Monday to an explosion in Swansea.
Images from the scene appear to show one house has collapsed and another is badly damaged, with debris strewn into the street.
South Wales Police said other neighbouring properties were also damaged by the blast, which shook houses miles from the scene.
A spokesperson for the force said: “Our thoughts are with everyone who have been affected by this morning’s incident and we would like to thank the community for their support whilst this incident is ongoing.”
Police have asked the public to avoid the area while they deal with the incident and a cordon is in place, with Clydach Road closed and traffic being diverted.
Donn and Donna Fernandez who live next door to the explosion told how they and other neighbours rescued a teenage occupant of the house who was taken to hospital.
Mr Fernandez said: “I came out of my house and saw the young teenager who lives next door in the wreckage of the house near the roof.
“Me and our neighbours got him out, he’s only about 13. They’re a lovely family, a family of three.
“We just can’t believe this has happened.”
Mrs Fernandez, an health care worker, said: “We’re just still in shock.”
Swansea Council leader Cllr Rob Stewart said a major incident was declared at noon, adding: “My thoughts are with the residents at this moment from what looks like an extremely serious incident, as we try and establish if everyone is safe.
“Our teams are on site and working with the emergency services.”
In a statement, Wales & West Utilities, which maintains the gas network across Wales and the south-west of England, said: “We were called to reports of an explosion at a property in the Clydach Road area of Swansea and immediately sent a team of engineers.
“On arrival, we found that there had been severe structural damage to the property and the emergency services were in control of the scene.
“We are now working with them to make the area safe – as we do on all incidents of this nature.
“We do not yet know the cause of the explosion and our engineers will continue to support the emergency services as they carry out their work.”
