Jersey explosion – live: Three dead and several missing after St Helier flat fire
Police say more people may have been killed after residents reported smelling gas
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Your support makes all the difference.Three people have died and more are missing, authorities say, after an explosion and fire at a block of flats in Jersey.
“Around a dozen” residents are missing following a blast in St Helier, according to Robin Smith, the chief officer of the States of Jersey Police.
One person is still in hospital but not in a serious condition, while two people who were being treated earlier had been released, he said.
Fire crews were called last night after residents around the Haut du Mont flats reported smelling gas.
Video footage and photographs showed smoke billowing above the blaze in the early hours.
Mr Smith described the scene as devastating, warning there could be more fatalities.
He said: “We have a three-storey building that has completely collapsed - described from a demolition point of view as a pancake that has dropped almost straight down.”
Emergency services plan to continue their search-and-rescue operation at the scene in Pier Road all night.
Chief minister Kristina Moore updated the death toll to three, saying it was an “unimaginable tragedy”.
Church opens for islanders
The Government of Jersey said the town church in St Helier would be open until 8pm for anyone affected by the explosion.
A statement on Twitter said: “The Town Church is open until 8pm this evening and has set up a space for Islanders who wish to light candles for all who have been affected by this incident.
“The church has also set up a space with tea and coffee for Islanders who simply need a place to process recent events.”
‘Lucky to be alive'
One nearby resident who escaped from his nearby building said he felt lucky to be alive:
Islanders to light church candles
Islanders are being invited to St Helier’s town church this evening to light candles in honour of those affected by the explosion.
Police said the search-and-rescue operation could go on for days.
Hospital still on ‘major incident’ status
The hospital in St Helier has now fully reopened but remains on “major incident declared” status and on standby for any patients from the explosion, according to the government’s health services.
The emergency department can accept emergency cases only, it said.
Pier Road before the blast
Images of Pier Road from Google Maps, taken before the explosion, suggest the area is normally peaceful.
Earthquake monitors pick up blast
The blast, around 4am, was powerful enough to be picked up on British Geological Survey’s earthquake monitors, it’s been reported.
Carl Walker, Jersey Consumer Council chairman, added: “It’s now time for Jersey’s community to respond like never before.”
Town hall taking ‘walking wounded’
Jersey housing minister David Warr said the town hall was taking in the “walking wounded”, the Jersey Evening Post reports.
He tweeted that landlord Andium Homes had enough accommodation for everyone who had lost their home.
Volunteer group Jersey Cares said they were donating gifts to people affected.
Block collapsed, photo shows
One Jersey resident posted a photo showing how the block of flats had disappeared.
Family liaison officers to support relatives
Police family liaison officers are contacting relatives of people missing, the States of Jersey force says.
Residents of the flats have been moved to St Helier town hall, where they are being supported.
More fire pockets found at ‘unsafe’ site
Jersey Fire and Rescue said more pockets of fire had been discovered at the scene of the fatal explosion in St Helier.
“As the search at Haut du Mont has progressed, pockets of fire have been discovered,” it said.
“The site remains highly unsafe.
“A South West hazardous area response team are on site and will be joined by an urban search-and-rescue team from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service.”
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