Explosion aftermath: 34 in hospital, homes evacuated, roads closed

Emergency services were called to the “major incident” in New Ferry on Saturday night.

North West Ambulance Service said two people were in a serious condition in hospital.

Several properties, including one thought to be a dance studio, had collapsed, Merseyside Fire and Rescue said.

Debris could be seen scattered along the road.

Around 20 people have been evacuated from houses in the surrounding area and moved to a nearby church.

The two seriously injured people are being cared for at Aintree Hospital.

The incident happened in Boundary Road, Port Sunlight, at around 9.15pm, with emergency services on the scene shortly after 9.20pm.

Eight fire engines were sent, while road closures have been put in place nearby.

Bino Shan, of a convenience store in Bebington Road, said: “I saw one man injured, I think a few people were injured.

“The building is gone, my door is damaged and broken. It’s really scary, it was a big explosion but I didn’t see any fire. The police said the gas blew up.”

Residents took to Twitter reporting hearing a huge explosion for miles around.

Those whose homes have been evacuated will face a considerable wait before they are allowed to return, a spokesman for the fire service said.

Chief fire officer Dan Stephens told reporters: “This incident is likely to be protracted, this is likely to last several days.

“Very significant damage as you can tell, so it will be some time before people will be allowed back into their houses.”

Hundreds of pounds have already been donated by well-wishers to help repair the destroyed dance studio, said to be called Complete Works.

Lauren Dickson, who set up the JustGiving fund-raising page, wrote: “A devastating gas leak destroyed the whole building and all its contents.

“Please please give anything you can to support the hardest working, most loving people who not only lost their studios, but their whole business.”